The Business of Meetings – Episode 194 – Two Easy Ways to Increase Your Sales with Eric Rozenberg Today, Eric is excited to share two simple yet effective strategies to boost your sales substantially. He will also explain how to fortify your pipeline and refine your pitch.  These strategies are not only straightforward but also incredibly efficient. Get ready to reap the rewards after using these simple yet powerful methods for transforming your sales approach! Becoming a Strategic Adviser Positioning yourself as a strategic adviser rather than a logistical expert can be a game-changer. Becoming a strategic partner will allow you to demonstrate your power of understanding and address your clients’ core business concerns. Personal Accountability for Sales Success Personal accountability plays a pivotal role in increasing sales. During a conference, Eric noticed a surprising need for more commitment among sales professionals toward dedicating just one hour daily for prospecting and client outreach. One hour per day equates to reaching out to approximately 800 people annually. Your calendar reflects your priorities, and by making this small and impactful commitment, you position yourself to expand your network and increase business significantly. It is a straightforward strategy, yet it often gets neglected. Implementing just one hour each day of focused effort will allow you a proactive stance in shaping your success and positively impacting your sales. Two Fundamental Principles Success in sales depends on two fundamental principles: Being a strategic adviser  Maintaining personal accountability  Take Action Now You can begin integrating these simple and effective strategies into your approach immediately. Understanding and addressing your clients' core business needs and committing just one hour daily to outreach are tangible and actionable steps toward enhancing your sales.  Remember, success is within your control, and there is no better time than now to start implementing these strategies and witnessing the positive impact on your business.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! Bio Eric Rozenberg Eric Rozenberg is an acquisition entrepreneur, trusted advisor, speaker, podcaster, and two-time Amazon bestselling author. Eric has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow and manage their business better. His purpose is to inspire people with integrity and honesty, help them take action, get results, and develop their businesses and their lives. For two decades in a previous life, Eric has consulted with Fortune 500 companies and produced award-winning sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches, and conferences in more than 50 countries across diverse industries. He believes organizations must create meetings and events that are not only breathtakingly memorable but which bring corporate strategies to life and amplify team motivation/performance. His podcast, "The Business of Meetings", is the first podcast in the Meetings & Events Industry dedicated to business owners. Every Tuesday, listeners learn something new they can apply in their business and/or get inspired by amazing guests. His first book, Meeting at C-Level, is the first book on the Why of a meeting. It has been endorsed by 20 of the most influential leaders from the corporate and association worlds and helps professionals to position themselves as a strategic partner. His second book, Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America, is a story of grit, perseverance, and courage. It describes why and how he and his wife brought their daughters to America and why it is the greatest country on Earth. Eric is a current member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and The Strategic Forum. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Demoucelle Parkinson Foundation in Belgium and was the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of Meetings Professional International (MPI), the largest professional association in the Meetings and Events Industry. He lives in Boca Raton with his wife Elsa, their three daughters Naomi, Shirel, and Tilia, and their dog Simba. Connect with him at www.linkedin.com/in/ericrozenberg. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website

The Business of Meetings – Episode 193- Five Steps to Define Your Business Vision with Eric Rozenberg Today, Eric shares a game-changing tool he uses for helping and advising people and coaching business owners. He used the same exercise to help him visualize and map out the future course of his current business. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible results and clarity of direction this process brings you when you put it into practice!  From Shock to a Life-Changing Vision In March 2020, during an annual retreat with his EO group, Eric recalls sitting around a campfire and experiencing the initial shock of sports cancellations due to the onset of COVID-19. Interestingly, the theme of the retreat was envisioning your life in 2030. Eric joined the retreat without any expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the life-changing nature of the process he learned there. Since then, he has often returned to the exercise and reflected on what he wrote during the retreat. A Comprehensive Approach to Shaping the Future of Your Business This exercise is a comprehensive yet straightforward approach to envisioning and shaping the future of your life and business. To make the process more practical, we have broken it down into five manageable steps and aimed it toward 2030: Start by identifying and categorizing the different areas of your life into seven different categories, like health, work, finances, fun, family, and personal development. Once you have defined those areas, rate your current standing within each area in terms of where you are today compared with where you would like to be in 2030, and then set goals for 2030. Create a visual representation, like a chart or graph, to further clarify your goals. Dedicate time to outlining three concrete actions you will take for each area within the next 12 months to propel yourself toward your 2030 goals. It could involve anything from lifestyle changes to professional development initiatives.  Make a list of questions based on how you want your life to be in 2030. Start by thinking about every area of your life, and then list a conclusive series of questions about all of those areas. The questions should cover where you want to live, your relationship aspirations, career achievements, legacy goals, and anything else you hope for. Take all the time you need to answer these questions. Choose a specific day or date in 2030 and describe it as a day in your life. Take all the time you need to vividly depict that day, incorporating all the details you gathered while answering the previous question. This part of the exercise may only take a few hours, or you may need multiple sessions to complete it. By approaching these five steps systematically, you can transform this seemingly overwhelming exercise into a practical and transformative tool for long-term planning. Remember, the key is to let the process unfold gradually. You may need to revisit the process from time to time, to refine your vision.  If you have any questions or need guidance, reach out to Eric. He will provide all the support you need.  If you embark on this journey enthusiastically, you will be astounded by all the remarkable results and newfound clarity it brings into your life and business. Bio Eric Rozenberg Eric Rozenberg is an acquisition entrepreneur, trusted advisor, speaker, podcaster, and two-time Amazon bestselling author. Eric has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow and manage their business better. His purpose is to inspire people with integrity and honesty, help them take action, get results, and develop their businesses and their lives. For two decades in a previous life, Eric has consulted with Fortune 500 companies and produced award- winning sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches and conferences in more than 50 countries across diverse industries. He believes organizations must create meetings and events that are not only breathtakingly memorable but which bring corporate strategies to life and amplify team motivation/performance. His podcast, "The Business of Meetings", is the first podcast in the Meetings & Events Industry dedicated to business owners. Every Tuesday, listeners learn something new they can apply in their business and/or get inspired by amazing guests. His first book, Meeting at C-Level, is the first book on the Why of a meeting. It has been endorsed by 20 of the most influential leaders from the corporate and association worlds and helps professionals to position themselves as strategic partner. His second book, Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America, is a story of grit, perseverance, and courage. It describes why and how, he and his wife brought their daughters to America and why it is the greatest country on Earth. Eric is a current member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and The Strategic Forum. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Demoucelle Parkinson Foundation in Belgium and was the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of Meetings Professional International (MPI), the largest professional association in the Meetings and Events Industry. He lives in Boca Raton with his wife Elsa, their three daughters Naomi, Shirel, and Tilia, and their dog Simba. Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website  

We are delighted to introduce the multi-talented Nir Zavaro as our guest on today’s episode!  After running his own agency, Nir decided to shift his business and go into teaching. With a multifaceted background working for various companies in sales, business development, novel writing, and teaching thousands of students, he has become an expert in communication and marketing. He is now launching his latest book, F*ck the Slides, which is about the art of storytelling and its persuasive power. Nir is a master of storytelling, marketing, and communication. He joins us today to discuss his new book and share his business insights.  Bio: Nir Zavaro is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker. He regularly tours the world and has a mission to help as many people as possible become better storytellers. Using his experience, storytelling fundamentals, and methods, he brings a fresh perspective on how to implement these into businesses, working with founders and CEOs in over 30 countries.  After a career in the retail industry serving in various roles, Nir founded Streetwise Creative Sales Agency specializing in outsourced marketing services. Founded in 2011, the company has worked with hundreds of brands.  Teaching is a major part of his passion. Since 2014, he has been a resident lecturer in leading universities and colleges, teaching regular courses about branding and marketing and new venture creation and sharing the concept of F*ck the Slides. He gives his time mentoring in several hubs and accelerators, helping companies improve their story, brand messaging, pitch decks, and marketing tactics. With two novels under his belt, F*ck the Slides is his third book, and the plan is to keep publishing many more, both novels and self-help books.  Nir has been involved in several businesses, from online to partner in several successful food and beverage businesses. Today, he sits on the advisory board for startups, supporting their brand and marketing efforts. He is meeting with entrepreneurs all over the world with his workshops about storytelling, branding, marketing, and sales. He has worked with Microsoft, Unilever, EO, Tech stars, and many others, helping them craft a better story. Nir’s Journey Nir's journey has been a blend of learning and teaching. As an avid reader, he thrives on acquiring new knowledge, believing in its transformative power. Over the past decade, he has shared his wisdom as an educator in universities and colleges. His book, F the Slides, conveys his two-year journey of refining his thinking. Nir published his book to empower people to learn independently, and it became a number one best-seller on Amazon for meetings and presentations. Even though he is not allowed to promote the book, he remains steadfast in his mission, driven by his belief in the value of his methodology, choosing to focus on being a product and marketing expert rather than a self-promoter.  The Power of Words and Emotions In the dynamics of language, the perceptions of some words can vary across cultures. Strong or profane words, in particular, carry different connotations in various parts of the world, eliciting diverse reactions when public figures use them. Nir emphasizes the importance of choosing words carefully to evoke emotions and capture the attention of an audience. Storytelling as a Skill Nir leveraged his journey of teaching startups to tell compelling stories and develop his concept of a trailer pitch. A trailer pitch is a concise three-minute presentation designed to ignite the curiosity and interest of an audience. Nir highlights the importance of preparing a powerful narrative to make an emotional impact while using visuals and keywords as effectively as possible. He compares the limitations of the traditional approach of bombarding presentations with information with the power of telling a well-crafted and enthralling story. From Startup Pitches to Keynote Presentations Nir’s methodology can be applied to many different presentation scenarios, including startup pitches, corporate meetings, and keynote presentations. He stresses the value of having a well-structured story and eliciting emotional audience resonance within all those contexts. He also highlights the importance of practicing and adapting to different presentation lengths. Connecting and Sharing through Language Nir explains that the power of storytelling goes beyond professional presentations and extends to everyday conversations, sales meetings, and more. He emphasizes the importance of creating an emotional connection with the audience, whether it is a potential investor, a class of students, or a large crowd at a keynote event. He encourages individuals to develop their storytelling skills because it enables them to inspire others while engaging with them. In Conclusion Nir highlights the profound impact words and storytelling have in communication and calls attention to the practical application of storytelling as a vital skill in various presentation contexts. The overarching theme throughout today's conversation is that words, when wielded effectively, can elicit emotions and make a lasting impression on the audience, ultimately influencing the success of any pitch or presentation. Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Connect with Nir Zavaro Website YouTube Linkedin Instagram Medium F*uck the Slides Creating A Winning Pitch Using Storytelling  

We are delighted to have Darcy Luoma joining us today! Darcy is the author of the book Thoughtfully Fit. She has spent many years as a coach, training teams and organizations to work better and achieve thoughtful fitness in all their professional endeavors. Today's discussion is based on Darcy’s extensive research, coupled with her practical experience. She joins us to shed light on the principles and strategies that form the foundation of becoming thoughtfully fit within a business setting. Bio: Darcy Luoma, CPCC, CSP, MCC, BCC, ORSCC, MSOD is the CEO of Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting, a company that specializes in creating high-performing people and teams. She’s a sought-after coach and consultant who has worked in forty-eight industries, with more than five hundred organizations, impacting tens of thousands of leaders and employees. Darcy is the author of Thoughtfully Fit: Your Training Plan for Life & Business Success, published by Harper Horizon. Darcy has been coaching since 2004. She is one of America’s most highly credentialed coaches, having earned the prestigious Master Certified Coach certification from the International Coach Federation, a distinction held by less than 4% of coaches in the world. In 2012, the University of Wisconsin–Madison sought out Darcy to design its rigorous nine-month Certified Professional Coach training program. She has served variously as the program’s director, lead instructor, and director of training and quality assurance since its inception. Before Darcy founded her business in 2013, she served as the director of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s office for twelve years, did national advance work for the White House, worked for two presidential campaigns, and served as a trusted senior advisor to a governor. Darcy has a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University. She received the distinguished Certified Speaking Professional™ award from the National Speakers Association, the largest speaker association in the world. She has spoken at more than five hundred events, in front of audiences ranging from five to five thousand. For the last twenty-five years, she has been an avid triathlete and Ironman. She uses her grit and determination in both her athletic and professional endeavors. Along with her favorite job being a mom of two energetic teenage daughters, Darcy enjoys adventure travel, yin yoga, kickboxing, spicy chai lattes, and afternoon naps. Darcy’s Story Darcy's professional path initially led her into government and politics, working for a U.S. Senator for over a decade. However, in 2012, the senator she worked for retired without seeking to be re-elected. Then, a pivotal question from her coach changed her life and encouraged her to envision a future without regrets, and Darcy made a bold leap into entrepreneurship. With the support of her then-husband, who took on the role of a full-time stay-at-home dad, she launched her own business in early 2013, defying the odds of small business failure. Then, in March 2016, her life took an unexpected turn when her husband was arrested for a serious crime. Darcy found herself navigating a tumultuous legal system, undergoing a divorce, and suddenly becoming a single mother with sole custody. Amidst all the chaos, she embarked on a journey of healing and recovery, later writing a book about her experiences. She subsequently learned that everyone has traumatic experiences and has challenges and hurdles to overcome in life. Overcoming Challenges with the Thoughtfully Fit Model After Darcy’s husband was arrested, she had to test her concept of being thoughtfully fit. She emphasizes the importance of pausing, thinking, and then acting when faced with challenges and encourages people to have faith that things will be okay, even when it seems impossible. She highlights the significance of training and practices to develop thoughtfully fit responses and actions when confronted with adversity. A Practical Technique to Help with Pausing Darcy believes that it is essential to practice Thoughtfully Fit skills to be able to respond effectively to challenges. However, it is often hard to pause, especially when we witness an injustice or feel conflicted about our values. Darcy explains that everyone has different default responses, like pausing, thinking, or acting when facing challenges. She points out that our strengths can become weaknesses when taken to the extreme. She shares a practical technique called the Pause Pinch for those who struggle with pausing. It involves squeezing a reflexology point to reduce tension and calm the nerves. Navigating Conflict in Teams   Most successful teams have healthy conflicts, so it is essential to create a psychologically safe environment where teams can navigate their conflicts, disagree with one another, and voice their opinions respectfully. Darcy highlights the significance of articulating and planning for a psychologically safe culture within a team. Encouraging open dialogue, respecting differing perspectives, and addressing the aftermath of decisions contribute to building a harmonious and productive team culture. Healthy Leadership A team leader must consider the opinions of team members, make decisions, and ask what is required for team members to support those decisions. Darcy emphasizes the importance of addressing concerns immediately to prevent post-meeting discussions and triangulation. She explains that leaders should lead, follow, or get out of the way when responding to situations and team dynamics. Handling Toxic Team Members Darcy stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy team environment and preventing the spread of toxic behavior. Managing toxic team members who resist change or cooperation despite coaching and conversations can be challenging. If all attempts to address their toxicity have failed, the best action is to part ways with the toxic individual because allowing their behavior to persist could negatively impact the morale and culture of the rest of the team. Maintaining Work-Life Balance and Prioritizing Self-Care Darcy maintains her sanity and a work-life balance as a business owner and mother by setting boundaries, minimizing extensive travel, and prioritizing her workouts. She explains that her commitment to regular exercise contributes to her overall well-being. She discovered the strategy of delegating tasks and recognizing her unique abilities to improve her work-life balance and productivity, allowing her to focus on things that only she can do as the CEO and Founder of her business. Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Connect with Darcy Luoma Website LinkedIn Book Mentioned Thoughtfully Fit: Your Training Plan for Life & Business Success, by Darcy Luoma

The Business of Meetings – Episode 190 - A Life Leading the Exhibitions Industry with David Dubois We are delighted to be speaking with an industry legend today!  David DuBois has a career spanning several decades in the industry. He now holds the positions of CEO, President, and Publisher of the Exhibitor Group. In today’s enlightening conversation, David shares his insights on workforce development, the integration of AI, and the role of experiences for the future of our industry.  Bio: David DuBois is the president and CEO of Exhibitor Group and publisher of EXHIBITOR magazine. Before coming to Exhibitor, he was president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events®(IAEE). As IAEE’s president, DuBois was responsible for managing 25 full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fundraising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, and providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. He also served as the association’s representative within industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances. In 2019, DuBois was inducted into the Events Industry Council’s “Hall of Leaders,” one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. David’s journey David’s journey began when he graduated from college and declined his father's offer to buy out their family's dry cleaning business. Instead, he opted to join his friend in enrolling at the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. That allowed him to spend thirteen years working for Sheraton and Ritz Carlton. Following that, he dedicated three decades to working with various organizations, including, PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), MPI (Meeting Professionals International), Fort Worth Convention Visitors Bureau, and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. He has enjoyed a blessed career, and has made many friends along the way. David’s Advice on Personal Branding David offers invaluable advice on the concept of personal branding. He explains that a resume catalogs personal achievements, and a CV outlines backgrounds, so it is essential to consider those integral components of your personal brand. He emphasizes that every action and decision we make contributes to our personal brand, ultimately shaping how others perceive and respect us. His central message is that personal branding is a crucial element in a professional journey, so it is essential to cultivate your brand consciously from the outset. Embracing AI for Industry Advancement AI has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the meeting and events industry. While acknowledging the need for caution, David also emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into various aspects of event planning and execution. He explains that AI can enhance decision-making because it offers a hybrid approach that combines human intelligence with machine intelligence, allowing businesses to remain innovative and competitive. Addressing Workforce Development Challenges Workforce development is a pressing concern in the events industry. With over a million job openings in the hospitality sector, finding and nurturing talent is paramount. David points out that success in the industry does not necessarily require a college education but rather a combination of intelligence, commitment, and people skills. He believes there is an urgent need for a strategic outreach program to help cultivate a robust workforce. Crafting Unforgettable Experiences The role of experiences in the events industry is a central theme of today’s conversation. Drawing on the wisdom of author Jim Gilmore and his Experience Economy, David introduces the concept of experiential marketing. He points out that creating memorable experiences has been a pivotal element in the industry for decades. Those experiences are not limited to trade shows and exhibitions but also extend to incentive trips and consumer shows. The world is teeming with options, and incentive trips and consumer shows provide unforgettable and valuable experiences that are the key to event success. Attendees leaving those experiences are eager to return because they foster engagement and reinforce a sense of community within organizations or associations. Balancing Human and Machine Intelligence While AI holds much promise for the future, a balance between human and machine intelligence is necessary. David explains that while AI can process vast amounts of data and provide insights, it should serve as a tool to enhance human judgment instead of replacing it. Maintaining the equilibrium between human and AI intelligence is essential for the growth of the industry and its progress. Designing Unique Incentive Trips Incentive trips are a prominent aspect of the events industry. A common misconception around incentive trips is that they are simply luxury getaways. That is why they should offer experiences that participants cannot easily replicate for themselves. Incentive trips should celebrate top performers and reward them with unique and memorable experiences. That approach serves to boost morale, motivation, and a sense of belonging, making incentive experiences a crucial element in the success of any company or organization.  The Art of Creating Unique and Memorable Experiences With his wealth of experience in the events industry, David understands that unique and memorable experiences form the essence of what makes an event truly special. He points out that events are about crafting moments that leave a lasting impact, foster community, and build long-standing connections. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with David Dubois On Website On LinkedIn Books mentioned:  Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman   Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harare The Experience Economy by B. Joseph Pine and James H. Gilmore  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 189 – Empowering Women and Heart-Centered Leadership with Suzette Bravo  We are delighted to have Suzette Bravo joining us on the show today!  Suzette is an empowerment coach dedicated to helping women and young ladies journey toward self-discovery and personal growth. With a passion for nurturing heart-centered leadership, she guides individuals to unlock their inner potential and embrace authenticity and self-love as the cornerstones of their success. She is also an accomplished author and host of the inspiring new podcast, Bravo Unscripted.  Today’s conversation encompasses a wide range of topics, from personal growth and mental health awareness to the power of sharing stories and supporting women and girls through meaningful organizations. We hope you will enjoy listening to our conversation with Suzette Bravo. Stay tuned as we explore her insights and wisdom! Bio: Suzette Bravo stands at the intersection of heart-centered leadership and deep personal empowerment. As an Empowerment Coach, keynote speaker, accomplished author, and the spirited voice behind the Bravo Unscripted podcast, she is deeply committed to helping women leaders forge meaningful connections, both with themselves and with those they inspire. Drawing from her personal journey and the resilience she cultivated along the way, Suzette's coaching has been a guiding light for many, steering them toward a place of authentic leadership and genuine self-love. Holding distinctions as an Elementum Certified Master Coach and a John Maxwell Certified Coach and Speaker, Suzette's holistic approach combines elements of self-leadership, confidence cultivation, and self-love. With over 25 years of invaluable experience in leadership and team-building, her credentials are backed by numerous coaching certifications, a degree in Business and Psychology, and deep expertise in mindset optimization, gut-brain health, and resilience-building. Committed to continuous growth, she is currently immersed in studying leadership psychology at Cornell University. Behind the microphone, she hosts "Bravo Unscripted," a podcast that celebrates everyday heroes with extraordinary experiences. As an author, she has contributed to "Activate Your Life" and the bestselling book “BECOMING YOU,” where she shares insights alongside other esteemed coaches. A nationally recognized authority, Suzette explores themes such as Heart-Centered Leadership, Resilience, Authenticity, and Self-Love. Beyond coaching, she mentors teenage girls through the "Women of Tomorrow" initiative and serves as the esteemed Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the PACE Center for Girls. Suzette's mission remains steadfast: to empower accomplished women leaders, helping them recognize and harness their innate strengths and potential. She aims to nurture a deep sense of self-worth and confidence, allowing these leaders to elevate their impact and inspire their teams. Always cheering from the sidelines, Suzette is devoted to supporting individuals as they craft extraordinary lives brimming with purpose and passion. Suzette’s journey Suzette's transformative journey and her current work with women and girls stem from a deeply personal place. Having faced significant childhood trauma and struggled through high school and early adult years, she sees herself as a supporter of the woman and girl she used to be. Despite her tumultuous past, she managed to graduate high school on time, leading what appeared to be a well-functioning life. However, when her husband was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in 2013 and passed away just eight days later, her world was shattered. That devastating loss forced her to confront the buried traumas of her past, leading to a profound healing journey. She embarked on a path of self-development and therapy, gradually shedding the I'm not good enough mindset she previously held. Through vulnerability and sharing her story with other women, she discovered the power of connection and healing. That realization led her to become an empowerment coach, focusing on supporting women and girls during their formative years to prevent the accumulation of toxic behaviors over time.  Suzette's journey demonstrates that within our stories and shared experiences, beautiful gifts and profound healing are waiting to be discovered. The Power of Taking Action  Suzette acknowledges the resistance she faced before when taking action. She explains that formulating ideas is necessary, but the real answers usually only emerge after action gets taken because that allows us to see how things unfold. Helping others and actively engaging in tasks can also be powerful ways to overcome difficulties and find a sense of purpose. Vulnerability and Mental Health Awareness Discussing vulnerability has become more accepted recently, but that has not always been the case. The power of having open conversations about mental health, seeking help when needed, and having a space where it is okay not to be okay should never be underestimated.  Loneliness It is essential to recognize loneliness as another significant mental health concern.  Self-Love  Suzette emphasizes the crucial role self-love plays in our ability to achieve goals and make sound decisions. Self-love can prevent self-sabotage and help us lead more fulfilling lives.  Catharsis Through Writing and Sharing Personal Stories Writing about traumatic experiences that happened in the past can be a cathartic process because it helps us to heal and gain a new perspective. Suzette participated in a collaborative book project and wrote a book, soon to be launched, where she delves into her personal journey and all the lessons she learned. The Bravo Unscripted Podcast  Suzette is excited about all the meaningful conversations she will have on her podcast, Bravo Unscripted. She will be featuring a diverse range of guests and their inspiring stories on the podcast, which focuses on connecting people and creating a movement where the shared stories and experiences of individuals can contribute to the healing and personal growth of others. Organizations Supporting Women and Young Ladies Suzette is involved with two organizations dedicated to empowering women and young girls. The PACE Center for Girls is an alternative school and counseling center in Florida, and Women of Tomorrow is an organization providing mentoring to high school girls. Both organizations focus on helping girls overcome challenges, find their greatness, and succeed in life. Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Connect with Suzette Bravo Website LinkedIn Instagram Email Suzette: [email protected]  Bravo Unscripted  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 188 – How to Measure Behavioral Changes and Learning and Development with Chris Taylor Today, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Chris Taylor, the Founder and CEO of Actionable.co, a company at the forefront of revolutionizing how organizations measure the impact of their investments in learning and development.  There are many parallels and commonalities between the meetings and events industry and the work Chris is doing. He joins us today to discuss some valuable insights revealed in a survey, share stories, and impart the wisdom he has amassed throughout his journey. Bio: Actionable.co CEO Chris Taylor works at the leading edge of learning sustainment and impact measurement for progressive organizations. Described once by a client as "a curious blend of Boomer and Gen-Y”, Chris is often called upon to act as a bridge and translator between generations at work, our new state of constant change, and the impact technology has on team dynamics. He brings a self-deprecating sense of humor and groundedness to his keynotes and workshops, ensuring attendees leave inspired and well-equipped to drive real change back in the workplace. Through Actionable.co, Chris brings empirical evidence and stories to illustrate how we measure ROI on corporate learning initiatives and the systems to ensure every program creates a lasting impact. He has personally consulted with over 400 organizations across six countries in almost any sector you can name. In addition to being a regular speaker for both public and private events, Chris has penned over 150 articles for dozens of publications, been quoted in The National Post, Toronto Star, and Globe & Mail, and hosted 90+ thought leader interviews for the iTunes #2 ranked business podcast, The 21st Century Workplace. Chris’s story Chris embarked on his first business venture at the age of twelve. Later, with dreams of becoming a film producer, he pursued a path in film school, only to realize its challenges. He then shifted his focus to sales and marketing, discovering a profound passion for sales leadership and the art of selling. In his early 20s, he successfully ran his own business, but success got the better of him, and his arrogance led to its downfall, motivating him to embark on a soul-searching journey to understand where he went wrong. That journey disillusioned him with how information got consumed conventionally and drove him to explore the transformative power of how a different learning application could lead to changes in behavior, eventually leading him to create a training company. His company eventually evolved into a licensing business and became a software company. Actionable.co satisfied his desire to quantify and improve how learning gets applied.  Chris currently resides in Toronto with his wife and two children and frequently divides his time between Canada and Australia. Key Insights from the Survey on Achieving Impact through Training From a recent survey focused on achieving impact through training programs, several pivotal insights emerged, emphasizing the critical interplay between content, context, and personal relevance in driving successful behavioral changes.  Content-Context Balance to Elevate Training Effectiveness One of the central findings of the survey underscored the significance of the content-context ratio within organizational training programs. Traditionally, many training sessions focus on cramming as much information as possible into a limited timeframe. However, that approach often needs to pay more attention to the essential element of context. The survey revealed that the emphasis has to shift in order for training to lead to changes in behavior.  More Effective Training Sessions Training sessions should not merely deliver information but also provide an environment where participants can reflect and answer the fundamental question, "So what?”. For optimal results, training initiatives should allocate a minimum of three to one, ideally, five to one, in terms of time spent on context building versus content delivery. By affording participants ample time and space for self-reflection, the training becomes more effective in promoting meaningful change. The Power of Personal Relevance Executives may articulate why a change is vital at a high organizational level. Yet, genuine motivation for change only arises when individuals discern how that change would affect them personally. So, a connection between training content and unique aspirations, challenges, and objectives of every individual is required to foster deeper motivation and commitment to change. Training programs should create an environment that encourages participants to reflect on and internalize the content. Leveraging Meetings and Events for Organizational Impact For professionals in the meetings and events industry, the survey findings emphasized the potential for meetings and events to become instrumental in driving organizational impact. Events can serve as valuable touchpoints for organizations, effectively communicating their goals and objectives. Including meaningful content-context discussions and ensuring that the content resonates personally with the attendees allows meetings and events to become catalysts for changing how people behave within organizations. Demonstrating the Long-Term Impact of Meetings and Events Incorporating training and learning components into events presents an opportunity for organizations to showcase their long-term impact. By tracking the behavior changes of event attendees over time, organizations can establish a direct link between the event and outcomes such as improved employee retention, increased sales, or enhanced leadership skills.  The Power of Defining Event Objectives Defining a clear objective for an event and measuring its progress allows organizations to ensure that their event will drive meaningful change and align with strategic priorities. Integrating Training Components into Events for More Impact By integrating training and learning components into events and measuring their long-term impact, organizations can demonstrate the value of those initiatives and justify investing in them. Smaller Cohorts and Accountability in Learning Smaller cohorts of around five to eight participants are ideal for fostering engagement and driving change. Accountability partners also play a significant role in maintaining commitment to learning and change. Emphasizing one behavior change at a time and implementing accountability measures allows organizations to increase the likelihood of participants successfully applying their new knowledge and skills. Overcoming Business Challenges with Humility  An important lesson Chris learned was the value of seeking honest and sometimes critical feedback from trusted advisors. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge your ideas and provide candid assessments can lead to more informed decisions and ultimately contribute to resilience and business growth.   Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website   Connect with Chris Taylor LinkedIn Actionable.co website Actionable.co resources  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 187 – How People and Culture Build Value with Aaron Bludworth We are delighted to be speaking with Aaron Bludworth today! He is a true thought leader who has massively impacted our industry! Until recently, Aaron was the CEO of Fern Expo. He joins us today to discuss his process of managing the company and selling it. He also shares his views on the future of the industry. Getting Into the Industry Aaron's initial introduction to the industry was largely accidental. While he was pursuing his education and working elsewhere, his uncle was working as an official contractor in the service sector of the industry. Aaron initially steered clear of the industry, even though his uncle kept mentioning all its potential opportunities. However, he eventually decided to try it out, thinking it would be a brief detour during his time in school. Yet, he is still there thirty-one years later! Joining Fern Aaron had been working for a private equity firm that recruited him when he started working at Fern. He joined Fern in 2008, initially as the Chief Operating Officer and eventually becoming the CEO due to the absence of a formal CEO. A while later, he found an investor, got a group of people together, and bought the firm. Sometime after, he took out the investor, leaving him with just the group of individuals within the firm. The Unique Culture of Fern Fern has a unique culture and history dating back 115 years. The company had a traditional image with a regional focus, and Aaron was committed to preserving the culture and the way the company focused on growth. However, it was challenging for him to find talent, customers, and acquisitions that aligned with the values and culture of the company. Balancing Culture and Corporate Consolidation  Aaron feels concerned about the increasing corporatization of the industry and how that could impact personal relationships and innovation. He emphasizes the need for a mix of large and small players to maintain the innovative spirit of the industry and personal connections. Navigating the Pandemic and Prioritizing People  Fern managed to weather the myriad of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company was committed to its people and customers and focused on keeping employees engaged during difficult times. Their proactive approach included developing innovative solutions like Fern Health Check, which did vaccine and COVID testing to support their customers so they could resume their activities safely. The Speedy Recovery and Unexpected Growth  The post-pandemic recovery of Fern exceeded all expectations. Aaron attributes their rapid rebound to customer loyalty, winning new business during the pandemic, and introducing innovative products. Despite all their initial challenges with labor and supply chain issues, Fern still managed to achieve record revenue in 2022. Navigating a Sale Process  Aaron explains that emotional factors often come into play when selling a business, especially for sole proprietors. He cautions against entering the sale process with a specific monetary goal because that could lead to disappointment. Instead, he suggests that the timing should rely on having a viable, strong business and the right representatives in the market environment. Selling Fern Selling the business was a complex process. Aaron received offers from many potential buyers, including strategic and non-strategic buyers. He considered the long-term outlook in addition to the financial aspects of the business because he was looking for a buyer who would maintain the existing leadership team, treat customers well, and bring value to the table. While acknowledging the uncertainty of selling a business, Aaron aimed to set up a successful transition for his team and customers. Aaron’s Thoughts in the Transition Period  Between signing the letter of intent and closing the deal, his primary focus was on the impact the transition could have on his team and customers. He was concerned about ensuring a smooth transition for both parties and making the right decisions for the future of the business. The Ever-Changing Events Industry  Aaron worries about excessive corporatization as the industry continues to evolve. He mentions the importance of maintaining a mix of players to preserve the unique character of the industry, emphasizing the need to keep innovators, thinkers, and passionate individuals involved to ensure its continued growth and vitality. He hopes that personal connections, community, and innovation will remain integral to the industry as it evolves and faces consolidation, stressing the importance of smaller and more personal businesses in driving success and maintaining the unique character of the industry. Life After Selling a Business During the post-sale period, business owners often struggle with maintaining a sense of purpose and finding direction after exiting their businesses. Maintaining a Work-life Balance Business owners should maintain balance between business and other aspects of their lives rather than allowing their companies to become the sole focus of their existence. Promoting Innovation and Passion  Aaron underscores the need for the industry to keep innovators, thinkers, and passionate individuals involved to ensure its continued growth and vitality. Because of the positive impact of the events industry on his life and hopes he will remain connected to it. Connect with Eric LinkedIn Facebook Instagram  Website Connect with Aaron Bludworth LinkedIn Fern Expo

The Business of Meetings – Episode 186 - A New Approach to Online Marketing with Nicholas Kusmich We are delighted to have Nicholas Kusmich back on the show today! Nicholas is truly phenomenal! He is a seasoned expert in Facebook advertising and online marketing. He describes his role as one who helps information entrepreneurs scale their revenue and attract more clients effortlessly through fun marketing that does not suck!  In today’s conversation, we dive into business strategies, exploring ways to position our businesses most effectively. Nicholas explains how he operates as a professional marketer, tells inspiring stories, and shares insights into the profound lessons we can learn from unexpected challenges in life, like the harrowing experience he faced with his family during the Kelowna fire.  Join us as we engage in an enlightening and insightful discussion with Nicholas Kusmich, delving into the wellspring of wisdom and resilience he brings to his professional endeavors and personal life. We trust our conversation will leave you energized and inspired! Bio: Nicholas Kusmich, Founder of the H2H Media Group, is best known as a Leading Digital Advertising Strategist, and for having the highest ROIs in the industry (up to 30,973.32%). Working with A-List clients, including top thought-leaders, NYT Best Selling Authors, Top Inc 500, and fast-growth companies, he creates advertising campaigns that don’t suck and allows you to generate qualified leads without a funnel.  A Journey Fueled by a Desire to Help Others For all his life, Nicholas has been driven by a calling to help others and positively impact the world. His journey began with a religious experience during junior high school that significantly shaped his perspective on life and led him into the field of ministry. At nineteen, he was ordained as a minister, started a church, and spent fourteen years as a pastor. However, there were certain things he did not like about traditional religious institutions and he did not want to continue taking a salary from the church as his primary source of income. So he started a side hustle doing internet marketing to cover his expenses. He eventually left the church to work full-time with internet marketing and online advertising. Positioning Yourself as a Category King or Queen If you want to position your business as a category king or queen, you must distinguish it in the market rather than compare it with your competitors' businesses. Nicholas explains that being different can have more power in the market than striving to be better than others. That's why business owners should address their unique customer needs and problems and educate the market to recognize their distinctiveness. Understanding the Why Before Going Online  Nicholas explains that not everyone needs an online presence, and business owners should avoid following trends blindly or giving in to marketing pressure. Before they start the process of creating an online presence, business owners must consider whether or not they genuinely need one. They should also understand why they want an online presence and know their desired outcomes. That approach involves asking a series of questions to unearth their true motivation for seeking an online presence.  Selecting the Right Partner  When selecting the right partner for building an online presence in a competitive digital landscape, Nicholas recommends focusing on the who rather than the how. He suggests that businesses identify individuals or businesses that have been successful in their specific industry and have a proven track record of delivering results. He emphasizes the importance of asking for references from current and past clients to gain insights into working relationships, potential challenges, and overall satisfaction. Positioning in a Crowded Digital World  Establishing a strong online presence in today's competitive digital world can be challenging. Nicholas advises business owners to position themselves as an industry leader or category king by offering something unique and different from their competitors. He emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and psychology and suggests that businesses should focus on fundamentals rather than being overwhelmed by rapidly changing algorithms and technologies. When crafting their online presence, business owners should always prioritize human interactions and the psychology of their target audience. Educating the Market and Defining Problems  Nicholas uses examples like Uber and Netflix to illustrate how businesses can redefine their industries by addressing unmet needs and educating the market. He highlights the power of identifying problems customers may not know about and then offering a solution. That approach involves businesses educating customers about such problems and explaining how their unique offering addresses them. Successful positioning requires business owners to think beyond competing on price or value. Instead, they should focus on delivering a unique and valuable customer experience. Facing Disruption by Creating a New Category  By marketing existing problems, businesses can become industry leaders without directly advertising their products or services. Nicholas uses the example of Netflix to emphasize how category kings or queens present an existing problem in a new light, prompting customers to realize previously unaddressed issues. That strategy challenged the status quo and positioned them as innovators. Challenging the Conventional Sales Funnel  Nicholas advocates for rethinking marketing strategies and targeting the right audience by presenting unique solutions that resonate with potential customers and challenge conventional marketing wisdom. He questions the effectiveness of traditional sales funnels, explaining that funnels often slow the buying process by attracting seekers of information rather than solution seekers. For that reason, premium prospects and those who value their time when seeking solutions may find funnels unappealing.  Authenticity and Community in the Face of Adversity  Nicholas shares his experience of evacuating his home during a wildfire in Kelowna. In prioritizing his relationships over material possessions, he found a deeper appreciation for life. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what truly matters when facing adversity and highlights the power of community and mutual support in times of crisis.  Conclusion The unique insights Nicholas shares today challenge traditional marketing approaches and highlight the importance of creating a new category to resonate with those seeking innovation and authenticity in their business strategies. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Nicholas Kusmich On Website On Social Media: X (formerly Twitter) Facebook LinkedInGet a free copy of Nicholas’s bestselling book GIVE and subscribe to his newsletter  

We are delighted to have Judson Laipply joining us on today's show! Judson is a legendary speaker who achieved viral stardom on YouTube with his video, The Evolution of Dance! Today, he shares the story behind his iconic video and offers us a glimpse into his fascinating journey after his video went viral. Judson has appeared on the Today Show, Ellen, Tosh. O, GMA, Oprah, and more. He is the world’s first YouTube celebrity, having had the most-watched video for four years. He has been speaking professionally for over twenty years and resides in the Cleveland, Ohio area.  Bio:  Judson Laipply M.Ed, CSP is an enigma wrapped in an anomaly contained inside a quandary. Combining comedy and content, laughter and learning, energy, and engagement, Judson gives his audiences immediate joy and lasting impact. He helps audiences understand the difference between change and evolution while teaching them to embrace struggles, and ultimately evolve. He has been featured on the Today Show, Ellen, Oprah, GMA, and more. He is the world’s first YouTube Celebrity and his finale “The Evolution of Dance” has over a billion impressions and was the first video ever to hit 100 million views. He’s been speaking and performing for over 20 years and has been all around the globe. He is also an Ironman Triathlete, terrible singer, and reformed Kool-Aid eater.  Judson’s journey Judson's journey mirrors the journey of many others who aspired to make their mark as professional speakers. What set him apart, however, was a fortunate turn of events that propelled him toward viral fame. Back in the 90s, professional speaking was still a relatively exclusive niche. Intrinsically outgoing and driven by a passion for engaging with people, Judson believed in the power of play as a tool for teaching, embracing Plato's timeless wisdom that an hour of play reveals more about a person than a lifetime of conversation. That belief drove him to seek opportunities, from working on a cruise ship as a youth coordinator to orchestrating evening events at a Colorado camp. Those experiences helped to hone his public speaking skills and expanded his horizons. Throughout his journey, Judson remained steadfast in his quest to make speaking a full-fledged career. That aspiration led him to graduate school, as he recognized that a master's degree would solidify his credibility and fortify his commitment to his chosen path. He took advice from a seasoned speaker, learning that the key to leaving an indelible mark lay in crafting memorable moments. Thus, the Evolution of Dance was born. It was a fusion of Judson’s modest dancing abilities and a powerful message about change and evolution destined to become an unforgettable hallmark in his career! A Compliment from a Choreographer The success of the Evolution of Dance video allowed Judson to experience incredible opportunities, including appearing in a Weezer music video. An LA choreographer praised his dance, acknowledging his lack of formal training but appreciating the joy and emotion he conveyed through his moves. That compliment marked a significant moment in his career as an entertainer and dancer! The Birth of a Viral Video His video was uploaded to YouTube in 2006. At the time, YouTube was still emerging as a popular website and viral videos were not as commonplace as today. His video gradually gained traction, becoming one of the first viral videos on YouTube. The timing was crucial because the popularity of the video coincided with the rise in prominence of YouTube. The Challenges of Going Viral Going viral was a roller coaster ride for Judson, filled with unexpected twists and turns. His video garnered millions of views, and he received numerous emails and messages from various platforms and media outlets. While tempting offers came in, his sudden fame also presented new challenges, like managing the influx of opportunities and distractions and making choices aligned with his long-term goals and identity as a speaker and influencer. Navigating Success and Opportunities His experience taught him the importance of staying true to his core identity and goals. Amid the overwhelming success and attention, he faced offers to pursue acting, reality TV, and other opportunities that could have taken him off his desired path. However, he chose to prioritize his passion for speaking and comedy, making strategic decisions to maintain his course while also enjoying the benefits of his viral fame. Appearing on Television Shows Judson had the opportunity to appear on various television shows, including Ellen, Oprah, and Good Morning America. His interactions with show hosts varied. Sometimes, he had limited interactions with hosts due to their busy schedules and other high-profile guests. Nonetheless, those appearances were significant milestones in his career, allowing him to reach broader audiences and share his unique brand. Monetizing Viral Videos Monetizing a viral video can be complex, particularly when it contains copyrighted music material. In Judson's case, the original Evolution of Dance video did not generate any direct revenue, as it was uploaded before the establishment of the YouTube partnership program and ad monetization. Regardless, Judson remains content with the cultural impact of his video and the opportunities it brought him without dwelling on the potential revenue it could have generated.  Building a Brand When building your brand, you must focus on your goals and maintain momentum.  Succeeding as a Speaker  Succeeding in the speaking industry involves the performance aspect of captivating audiences on stage and the often-overlooked business side of the profession. Judson took the advice of seasoned professionals to heart and set out on a five-year business plan to establish a strong foundation for his speaking career.  Transitioning into Corporate Settings In his quest to move into more corporate settings, Judson capitalizes on his experiences and research. His transition aligns with his desire to evolve his speaking career and explore new opportunities. How Comedy Has Changed Over Time While reflecting on the evolution of comedy over the past 15 years, Judson emphasizes the need for comedians to adapt to changing norms. He points out that shock comedy and humor targeting specific groups have become less acceptable. He praises comics like Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan, and Mike Birbiglia for their clean and relatable comedic styles.   Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Judson Laipply On LinkedIn On Website  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 184 – How Do 58+ Million American Households Spend their Holidays? Today, we are delighted to speak with David Basler, Chief Strategy Officer of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). In an industry boasting a trillion-dollar economic footprint, with 12 to 13,000 sites across America, and serving the vacation ambitions of over 58 million households, the ARVC plays a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the thriving world of RV parks and campgrounds.  David joins us to share his expertise, insights, and perspective on the current state and future potential of the dynamic RV and campground industry. Bio: A champion of whatever community he's a member of, David Basler is an entrepreneurial spirit, business leader, and philanthropist.  After working in publishing on the East Coast, David moved to historic Creede, Colorado in 2002 and started Creede Magazine Publishing, which he owned and operated until 2008. During this time, he also founded Keep Creede Beautiful, a nonprofit to maintain the beauty of Creede, and the John David Lentz Memorial Fund, which provides annual funding to the Creede Repertory Theatre.  After a 6-year stint with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) in Dallas, David, along with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs, moved to Denver in 2014. He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, an organization representing more than 3,000 privately owned RV parks and campgrounds across North America. He and his wife, Amanda, are avid collectors of fine art and they remain extremely active philanthropically in the arts and education. Working alongside their oldest daughter, they lead both the John David Lentz Memorial Fund and the Genny Basler Memorial Fund. David also sits on the board of the Creede Center for the Arts and the advisory board of the Creede Repertory Theatre. When it's playtime, David enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, running, and travel, having visited all 50 states and more than 25 countries on three continents. David’s journey David's journey began in high school when he discovered his passion for writing and communications through the guidance of a dedicated teacher and joined a remarkable high school magazine project. That publication, unlike most other school newspapers, was a full-color glossy magazine that earned numerous awards. Joining the magazine staff led to lasting friendships, and the impact of that formative experience left an indelible mark on his career trajectory, underscoring the profound impact of mentorship and community engagement. After college, he worked as an editor on the East Coast before realizing his dream of starting his own publication in Colorado. That venture expanded into a successful publishing company, producing calendars and visitor guides, and becoming a vital part of the local community. Subsequently, David moved to Dallas and began working for MPI after selling his business. MPI During his time with MPI, David played a pivotal role in its publishing, marketing, and communications sectors. His efforts included overseeing the launch of One Plus, a rebrand of a magazine previously called Meeting Professional, aimed to educate and inform meeting professionals worldwide. The rebranding initiative persisted for about four years before the strategic decision was made to revert to the original Meeting Professional brand to align the publication more effectively with the identity of the organization and its members.  An RV Trip Planning Session  Eric and David had a serendipitous encounter that led to a memorable RV trip planning session. David drew on his expertise in the RV and campground industry to assist Eric in crafting an unforgettable journey that served as a testament to the industry's collaborative spirit and its emphasis on fostering a sense of community. The Flourishing RV and Campground Landscape  The RV and campground industry in the United States is economically significant, constituting approximately 2% of the GDP. The industry's consistent growth was underscored by an influx of new enthusiasts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. David attributes the industry's appeal to its diverse accommodation options and the unique experiences offered within campgrounds. Championing the Industry  The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is tireless in its efforts to advocate for the RV and campground industry in Washington, D.C. Its endeavors mostly revolve around showcasing the considerable financial impact of the industry and the sway wielded by campground owners as influential voters. These advocacy undertakings focus on emphasizing the industry's significance to legislators and stakeholders. A Kaleidoscope of Campgrounds  The vast spectrum of campgrounds ranges from intimate, cozy sites to sprawling mega parks with thousands of slots. David highlights the pivotal role of diversity in catering to the varied preferences of campers. The ethos of campgrounds is centered on inclusivity, ensuring that every individual, regardless of background or preferences, can find a campground that resonates with their desires. Creating Lasting Memories  The transformative power of camping experiences is unparalleled! Campgrounds play a significant role in crafting enduring memories and fostering a profound sense of community among campers. The Industry's Forward Trajectory  David envisions a future where the RV and campground industry continue flourishing over the next decade. Despite potential hurdles, such as fluctuations in interest rates, the innate strength and resilience of the RV and campground industry are anticipated to weather any storm. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with David Basler On LinkedIn National Association of National Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC)  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 183 - 15 Minutes of Shame with Des Hague Today, we are both honored and delighted to have Des Hague joining us on the podcast! Des was enjoying a fascinating career in the hospitality industry when his life took an unexpected twist and he found himself entangled in the pervasive web of cancel culture. He courageously chronicled his experience in a book he wrote called Fifteen Minutes of Shame, which officially hits the shelves today.  In this episode, Des dives into his career trajectory and tells the story behind the pivotal moment that forever altered his life. This episode is one of the most enthralling episodes Eric has ever recorded, so you will not want to miss it!  Bio: Des Hague is an author and a highly regarded innovator in the international business community having more than thirty years of experience leading global companies. His forward-thinking approaches as president/CEO of Centerplate, president of IHOP, and president of perishables at Safeway, as well as high-level executive positions at Maytag and 7-Eleven, helped those companies achieve sustained growth and robust competitiveness in an uncertain world. Hague currently serves as co-founder and CEO of Hague Enterprises, sits on the boards of Messenger Sports, Ikoniq Inc, MRGN, and YoungCaruso, and is an active mentor, advising several start-up ventures and working with numerous private equity groups to create more than half a billion dollars in returns for investors. Outside of the business world, Hague has received numerous community leader awards and helped raise more than $100 million for various nonprofits. Hague holds an MBA from the American College in London and resides in Colorado with his wife, Carol. They are the proud parents of two sons, Patrick and Desmond Jr. Des’s story Des was born in Belfast to an Irish mother and an English father. At the time, interreligious relationships were stigmatized and their family faced much adversity, including the destruction of their business due to the violence in Belfast. After fleeing to the UK and settling in a village near Sheffield, Des’s mother became seriously ill with ovarian cancer and soon succumbed. Then, his father married a troubled woman plagued by alcoholism and violent tendencies. Des faced increasing abuse at the hands of his stepmother, beginning with psychological torment and eventually escalating to physical violence when she was intoxicated. At age nine, Des felt compelled to intervene to protect his younger brothers from her brutality. Despite his fear, he stood his ground, motivated by his mother having taught him never to strike a woman, and endured years of abuse, often on a nightly basis. Des has agonizing memories of near-miss assaults, hospitalization after brutal attacks, and his father's inexplicable inaction. At fifteen, he finally reached a breaking point and left home, embarking on a journey of homelessness and self-reliance, determined to carve out a new, more stable life for himself. Fish and Chips Being homeless, Des turned to a family friend who owned a fish and chips shop for a lifeline. His journey into the world of hospitality began in that fish and chips shop, peeling countless bags of potatoes each day. Things eventually shifted when Des embarked on a journey to expand his horizons. He opened the first video shop in his town and diversified into other businesses like butcher shops and convenience stores. At 17, Des managed all the properties, gaining valuable experience and business acumen. Despite his young age and being challenged with dyslexia, he thrived in the business world, soaking up knowledge and skills. From Trauma to Entrepreneurship Des's life took an unexpected turn when he faced a traumatic incident, suffering a violent assault. Despite his size and self-perceived toughness, the ordeal left him shattered. Then, he ventured into a food caravan business, and on the very first day, a car accident destroyed his business and left him homeless again. That setback failed to deter him, and he managed to secure a job at Wimpy Burgers. That marked the start of a journey that would eventually lead him into corporate enterprise. The Power of Education and Resilience Despite a lack of formal education and challenges along the way, Des's thirst for knowledge was unquenchable, and he sought to pursue an MBA. However, the academic world questioned his suitability due to his unconventional background. Undeterred, Des devised a plan and presented himself to the decision-makers. He undertook aptitude tests, and within two years, he earned his MBA and became passionate about continuous learning.  Relocating From the UK to the USA Des's dream of relocating to the United States eventually came to fruition when his wife secured a prominent position at PepsiCo. The immigration process was fraught with hurdles, but his determination saw him through, and the move laid the foundation for his subsequent endeavors within corporate America. A Cascade of Adversity Des's life took a harrowing turn when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, his son battled depression after suffering concussions from sports injuries, and Des received his own diagnosis of prostate cancer. In an effort to maintain his image as the rock of the family, he kept his illness hidden and tried to manage everything alone.  Infidelity  While grappling with pain, and struggling to cope with overwhelming stress, Des succumbed to temptation and engaged in infidelity. That episode left him deeply ashamed because he knows that he should have sought help and taken a sabbatical from his responsibilities instead of allowing his ego to prevent him from doing so. The Infamous Video and Cancel Culture Des's life took a dramatic turn when a video clip from an elevator surveillance camera, showing him disciplining a dog, surfaced on Twitter. Even though the video was taken out of context, an avalanche of online hatred descended upon him, with thousands of people demanding his firing, threatening his family, and even physically attacking his son. A Police Raid  The police, prompted by the video, raided Des's apartment in Vancouver and launched an investigation. Although he did not get mistreated physically during the raid, the situation intensified his trauma, and the online harassment continued relentlessly, targeting his family and making Des feel besieged and vulnerable.  A Conversation with the Board: The Resilience of a Leader Des’s leadership journey took an unexpected turn when the board had a change of heart after initially expressing their support following the social media incident and asked for his resignation within 24 hours. The Power of Cancel Culture Cancel culture is a formidable force that plays a pivotal role when social media trolls amplify negative stories and target individuals with a track record of philanthropy and good deeds. Some corporate leaders lack courage when facing such situations. Social media platforms have become very powerful in shaping public opinion, often without a proper understanding of the person behind the headlines.  Embracing Hope and Resilience Des’s current status in life bears testimony to his resilience and determination. His sons have embarked on successful careers, his wife has fully recovered, and his current plans include launching a podcast and writing a second book. Despite his past challenges, he remains optimistic about the future and the possibility of returning to a leadership role in the corporate world. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Des Hague On LinkedIn Fifteen Minutes of Shame: How a Twitter Mob Nearly Ruined My Life  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 182 – The Meeting Show is Coming to Asia with David Blansfield We are delighted to introduce David Blansfield today! He is a prominent figure who has been instrumental in molding the events and meetings industry! David is the Executive Vice President and Group Publisher for Northstar Meetings Group. He joins us to share how he got to where he is today, discuss the launch of The Meeting Show in Singapore, and offer his perspective on the transformative impact AI is poised to have on the industry. David brings a wealth of knowledge to today’s discussion! His expertise shines as he takes us through the dynamic world of event management and navigates the ever-evolving landscape of trends that shape the meetings industry.  Bio: David manages Northstar Travel Group’s meetings brands and events businesses. The Northstar Meetings Group – comprised of brands such as Meetings & Conventions (M&C), Successful Meetings, Meeting News, Incentive, SportsTravel, M&IT, AMI, and M&C Asia, as well as 30 MICE industry events – is the leading source of research, analysis, media, and marketing services to event organizers and hospitality service providers in the US and worldwide. David’s story David’s early ambition was to become a foreign correspondent for prestigious newspapers. Unfortunately, that had to shift due to economic constraints, so he found a job teaching English in Tokyo and engaged in journalism on the side. That experience broadened his global perspective and deepened his appreciation for cultural differences. After returning to the United States, he transitioned to media entrepreneurship, founding and selling financial magazines. That led to his current role, overseeing the meetings side of things at North Star Travel Group. Positioned to assist event organizers and MICE professionals worldwide, David’s expertise bridges the gap between buyers and sellers, facilitating impactful connections within the travel industry. The Significance of Face-to-Face Interactions in a Global Context The pandemic has reinforced the significance of face-to-face interactions, leading to a robust recovery worldwide. This trend, evident in the empirical data and research, highlights the enduring importance of personal connections, especially in international business dealings. Despite technological predictions, the value of in-person experiences remains unparalleled. The demand for face-to-face interactions has surged, contradicting expectations of technology replacing such engagements. That becomes particularly pronounced when navigating diverse cultures and customs.  AI and Changing Industry Dynamics  AI has catalyzed significant changes across various facets of business operations, from automating administrative tasks to revolutionizing customer engagement strategies. David explains that AI tools streamline operational efficiency while freeing up valuable time for businesses to focus on strategic thinking and fostering meaningful client connections. The Role of AI in Event Enhancement  David sheds light on the transformative role that AI has played in enhancing event experiences by sharing a fascinating example from Marina Bay Sands, where they use AI-driven technology to gauge audience engagement in real-time. That provides presenters with tools to tailor their delivery and maintain a captivating presence. The dynamic interaction between technology and human engagement exemplifies the potential of AI in redefining event engagement for both presenters and attendees. The Role of AI in Talent Acquisition and Understanding Clients  With a shift towards a gig economy and an increasing reliance on third-party talent, AI can serve as a formidable ally in augmenting business operations. Automating routine tasks allows business owners to have time to focus their energy on strategic initiatives and meaningful interactions with clients and teams. David emphasizes the integral role of AI in fostering deeper client understanding. Through data-driven insights, AI allows businesses to create highly personalized experiences that cater to individual preferences and needs. A Positive Industry Outlook and Key Trends  Backed by research findings, David emphasizes the optimistic outlook marked by substantial budget growth and plans for expansion. A notable trend he highlights is the growing prevalence of remote work and its impact on the significance of face-to-face events. Sustainability and climate change are also key concerns on the industry's radar, with a collective push towards more environmentally responsible practices and solutions. Lessons from Hawaii and Travelers’ Perceptions Drawing from recent events in Hawaii, David illustrates the critical importance of considering geographical contexts and nuanced perceptions within the industry. He recounts an intriguing scenario where travelers' perceptions were influenced by an outbreak in a different location, highlighting the necessity of balanced information. With that, he urges industry professionals to conduct thorough research and offer unwavering support to destinations navigating challenges, ultimately fostering well-rounded perspectives. Core Themes from the Insights of an Industry Expert  The core themes that emerged from David’s insights in today’s conversation were the transformative power of AI, the promise of elevated event experiences, the evolving gig economy, and the ongoing commitment the industry has demonstrated to sustainability. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with David Blansfield On LinkedIn Northstar Meetings Group  

The Business of Meetings –  Ep. 181 My Summer Readings - Ten Books I Enjoyed Today, I am delighted to present you with a selection of ten diverse books I read and savored during the summer months! All of these books impacted me profoundly! I sincerely hope you will take as much pleasure in reading them as I did, and I trust they will inspire and stir you as much as they did me!  Please share your thoughts and impressions with me after reading these books. Your feedback means the world to me!  The Cancel Culture Curse by Evan Nierman  This thought-provoking work, which I had the privilege of listening to on Audible, delves into the insidious phenomenon of cancel culture. Authored by Evan Nierman, the book is a compelling call for awareness and action. Nierman vividly defines the concept of cancel culture, offering insightful criteria to identify its manifestations. Beyond merely diagnosing the issue, he equips readers with strategies to combat this modern-day scourge on our freedom. The book is enriched further by real-world examples, including the cases of individuals like Alan Dershowitz, who have confronted cancel culture head-on. The Cancel Culture Curse is a must-read, as it raises a clarion call against a disturbing societal trend that threatens our liberty. Simple Numbers 2.0 by Greg Crabtree  In Simple Numbers 2.0, Greg Crabtree, a seasoned finance and business management expert, imparts invaluable wisdom to entrepreneurs and business owners. Drawing on his extensive experience, Crabtree unveils a blueprint for managing and scaling businesses. With an accountant's precision and the insight of an entrepreneur, he clarifies the pivotal numbers and ratios that guide business success. Backed by charts and real-world examples, this book provides a practical toolkit for financial growth and strategic decision-making. Whether you are a financial novice or a seasoned professional, Simple Numbers 2.0 offers a treasure trove of knowledge to propel your business endeavors. The Family Board Meeting by Jim and Jamie Shields  Jim and Jamie Shields bring us a heartwarming guide that champions the concept of quality time in our busy lives. Their book, The Family Board Meeting, encapsulates the essence of meaningful connections within families. Rooted in the notion that we have a finite number of summers to bond with our children, the book encourages dedicated one-on-one time without distractions. The authors emphasize the significance of being fully present during these moments, offering a framework for engaging conversations and mutual commitments. This heartening approach fosters lasting relationships and provides a valuable lesson for both families and businesses. 15 Minutes of Shame by Des Hague  15 Minutes of Shame recounts the gripping tale of Des Hague, a man whose life got upended by a single incident caught on camera. Hague's journey from success to infamy is a poignant exploration of the destructive power of online shaming. The book delves into his personal and professional fallout, highlighting the double standards and chaos that ensue when individuals become targets of online attacks. Hague's resilience and determination to rebuild his life after facing the brunt of cancel culture exemplify the spirit of survival against the odds. A compelling narrative interwoven with business and personal growth lessons, 15 Minutes of Shame is a powerful testament to the human capacity to overcome adversity. The Mastermind Dinners by Jason Gaignard  Jason Gaignard's book, The Mastermind Dinners, is a compelling guide for anyone seeking to orchestrate impactful mastermind dinners and events. The book offers a detailed blueprint to illuminate the power of these gatherings in fostering meaningful connections and facilitating valuable discussions among like-minded individuals. With Giagnard drawing on his life experiences, this book equips readers with practical steps to curate successful mastermind dinners that inspire collaboration and personal growth. A Dose of Hope: A Story of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy by Dr. Dan Engle  Dr. Dan Engle's A Dose of Hope delves into the groundbreaking realm of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Through the lens of this transformative treatment, Engle presents a captivating narrative that highlights the potential of MDMA to address conditions like PTSD. The book encapsulates the experiences of individuals undergoing this therapy, shedding light on the profound impact MDMA has on their healing journey. Engle's expertise and passion shine through as he explores the promising future of MDMA therapy within the mental health realm. How to Work with Almost Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier  Michael Bungay Stanier's How to Work with Almost Anyone offers insightful guidance for navigating complex interpersonal dynamics in the workplace. By drawing on his expertise in coaching and communication, Stanier provides readers with practical tools to foster effective collaboration and understanding. With thought-provoking questions and strategies, the book empowers individuals to build more harmonious relationships with colleagues, ultimately enhancing productivity and teamwork. The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan  Peter Zeihan's The End of the World Is Just the Beginning presents a thought-provoking exploration of geopolitics and global trends. With meticulous analysis, Zeihan dissects the collapse of globalization and its implications for various sectors, from energy to manufacturing. Backed by data and historical context, the book offers an illuminating glimpse into the shifting geopolitical landscape, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of our world's evolving dynamics. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck  Carol Dweck's seminal work, Mindset, delves into the concept of mindset and its influence on personal and professional success. Examining the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets, Dweck reveals how our beliefs about our abilities shape our behavior and achievements. The book provides insights into fostering a growth mindset, offering valuable lessons for parents, educators, and individuals striving for self-improvement. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek  Simon Sinek's The Infinite Game challenges conventional notions of competition and success in business. Sinek introduces the concept of infinite games, emphasizing the importance of a long-term perspective and collaborative mindset. Through engaging anecdotes and illustrative examples, Sinek urges readers to reevaluate their approach to leadership and decision-making, encouraging them to prioritize purpose and sustainability over short-term gains. Conclusion I’m thrilled to have shared this array of impactful books that enriched my summer! Every one of these titles resonated deeply with me, and I trust they will do the same for you. I eagerly anticipate hearing your thoughts and insights. Your feedback holds immense value, as it fuels meaningful conversations and learning experiences. I trust that the knowledge and transformative influence within the pages of these books will nurture growth and inspire meaningful connections! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Episode 85 with Greg Crabtree Episode 164 with Evan Nierman Episode 180 with Michael Bungay Stanier Episode 100 with Jason Gaignard  Books Mentioned: The Cancel Culture Curse by Evan Nierman  Simple Numbers 2.0 by Greg Crabtree  The Family Board Meeting by Jim and Jamie Shields 15 Minutes of Shame by Des Hague The Mastermind Dinners by Jason Gaignard  A Dose of Hope: A Story of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy by Dr. Dan Engle  How to Work with Almost Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck  The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek   

Step into the world of coaching brilliance today as we embark on an extraordinary journey with coaching industry rockstar, Michael Bungay Stanier!  Michael's reputation precedes him! Armed with a treasure trove of simple and remarkably effective ideas, he has left an indelible mark on countless individuals seeking growth and transformation. From the resounding success of his bestseller, The Coaching Habit, with over a million copies sold, to the launch of his latest book, How to Work with Almost Anyone: Five Essential Questions, his wisdom knows no bounds!  Prepare to be inspired as we dive into the mind of the one and only Michael Bungay Stanier and unravel the secrets to his remarkable success!  Bio: Michael Bungay Stanier helps people know that they're awesome and are doing great. He is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the best possible relationship with key people at work. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar. He is Australian and lives in Toronto, Canada.  How It All Started for Michael Michael's journey into the coaching world began during his teenage years when he noticed he had a knack for listening to his friends and offering advice. Intrigued by the power of asking questions and listening to the answers, he became a crisis telephone counselor for youth. That experience taught him the value of staying curious and understanding that the first answer might not be the whole truth. His interest in coaching grew while working in the world of innovation and organizational change in London and Boston. In 2001, he moved to Toronto, where he did his first coach training and launched a coaching practice that led him to write books on coaching. Becoming a Reference in the World of Coaching Michael's journey to becoming a reference in the coaching industry took shape with the publication of his book, The Coaching Habit. Initially rejected by traditional publishers, he decided to self-publish the book and took control of the brand, look, and feel. His commitment to making it a classic and marketing it extensively through podcasts and writing contributed to its success. The book focuses on simplifying coaching, emphasizing curiosity, and refraining from rushing to give advice. That resonated with readers and made it highly influential. Subsequent books and his unique podcast, Two Pages with MBS, further solidified his position as a prominent figure in the world of coaching. Balancing Curiosity and Giving Advice A lesson Michael learned was about the power of staying curious and helping people figure things out themselves. As a coach, he emphasizes the importance of understanding a client's challenges before rushing to provide immediate solutions. He cautions against trying to solve the wrong problem and highlights the value of enabling individuals to learn and grow, fostering their autonomy and self-sufficiency. By refraining from rescuing them and instead being a guide in their journey, he believes coaches can add value to their clients' lives. How to Work with Almost Anyone Michael's latest book, How to Work with Almost Anyone: Five Essential Questions, addresses the critical aspect of working relationships and their impact on success and happiness. The book explores having "almost" working relationships, where some individuals may present challenges. Michael invites readers to consider how improving key working relationships can lead to positive outcomes. The title resonates with many, as almost everyone has experienced challenging working relationships at some point. The book offers essential questions and insights to help individuals navigate and enhance those crucial connections. Building the Best Possible Relationships Michael emphasizes the importance of having a keystone conversation with colleagues or employees before diving into work. He explains that the keystone conversation is about understanding each other's best qualities, preferred working practices, past successful and frustrating experiences, and how to repair the relationship when things go wrong. He points out that having this conversation can make working relationships less awkward and more productive. Creating Safe Environments Michael believes that while there may not always be a completely safe environment, there can be safe individuals. He explains that psychological safety is essential for people to feel comfortable expressing themselves honestly and openly. That is why fostering an environment where team members can be straightforward and share their positive and negative experiences is necessary. Applying Keystone Conversations  Implementing keystone conversations in the orientation process can be valuable when onboarding new team members, enabling them to understand their colleagues' working styles and preferences. There are other contexts where that practice can also be helpful, such as hiring students and working in procurement to build better relationships and save time and money. The Five Questions of the Keystone Conversation The Amplify Question (People asking each other about the moments when they are at their best and in a flow state.) The Steady Question (Individuals discussing the logistics and mechanics of how they prefer to work together, including communication tools and working hours.) The Good Date Question (People learning from their past successful working relationships to understand what contributed to their success.) The Bad Date Question (Understanding past frustrating working relationships to avoid repeating negative patterns.) The Repair Question (Individuals agreeing on how to fix things when issues arise, emphasizing the inevitability of conflicts and the importance of addressing them constructively.)The Importance of Strong Working Relationships Michael stresses the significance of building strong working relationships. He explains that improving challenging relationships can profoundly impact the reduction of stress and the improvement of overall well-being. Fostering positive relationships and creating a safe and supportive environment can lead to more successful outcomes within and outside of organizations. Best Possible Relationship  The "best possible relationship" concept connects with the keystone conversation. The best possible relationships are characterized by psychological safety, bravery, and the ability to repair themselves. The keystone conversation is a tactic to help individuals build such relationships by discussing their best qualities, working practices, past experiences, and ways to address challenges. Coaching Session with Brené Brown Michael had a personal experience of coaching Brené Brown during a podcast interview. He remembers being surprised when she asked him to coach her during the conversation and how he successfully guided her through the coaching process, showcasing the power of silence and active listening in coaching. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier On his website  On LinkedIn Download Michael’s five keystone questions for free at www.bestpossiblerelationship.com

The Business of Meeting – Episode 179 – Design for Human Connectivity with Peter Mandeno, Ph.D.  Join us today as we embark on an enthralling journey and step into the world of boundless human connectivity with Peter Mandeno!  A seasoned expert in the meetings and event industry and having recently completed a Ph.D. in designing human connectivity, his career has been nothing short of extraordinary!  We have the distinct pleasure of delving deep into the vast realm of Peter’s experiences and insights, exploring the bridges he built between academia and industry in today’s engaging conversation!  Prepare yourself for an intellectual adventure as we uncover the wonders of human connection with the brilliant mind of Peter Mandeno! Bio: Peter Mandeno, Ph.D., is an expert in creating the optimal conditions for human connection. He has spent 15 years in industry and more recently in academia, developing new knowledge and frameworks that support organizations in improving human connectivity outcomes by design, rather than by chance. It is well-understood that better-connected organizations perform better. Peter’s work builds on decades of social science and management research that reveal human connections are critical for well-being, creativity, and productivity at work. Through his unique combination of research and design, Peter has helped improve the performance of all manner of businesses and contexts from financial institutions and business schools, to global medical networks and multi-disciplinary corporate events. With a background in marketing and psychology, Peter has always been fascinated by human behavior. His passion for human connection was ignited by a social experiment he launched in New York in 2010; Wok+Wine. Traveling the world for several years with a giant wok, Peter connected thousands of curious strangers through more than 150 events in 12 countries. The concept was featured in Harvard Business Review in an article making the business case for serendipity or, as Peter describes it, “finding the people you didn’t know you were looking for.” Seeking to understand what made Wok+Wine so universally and consistently effective led Peter to complete his Ph.D. in Design Engineering (Behavioral Design) in 2022. Having identified and articulated the factors that influence and explain human connectivity outcomes, Peter is on a mission to create a better-connected world, starting with organizations. He’s often to be found on stage delivering keynotes to share his research with audiences ranging from senior leadership teams and community builders to designers and conference organizers. Otherwise, you’ll find him developing new people-centered approaches that help make organizations more innovative, productive, resilient, and overall better places to work. A native of New Zealand, Peter’s career spans the travel industry, graphic design, digital technology, entertainment, strategy, innovation, experience design, and animation in New Zealand, the United States, Denmark, The Netherlands, and the UK, where he’s currently based. He is most comfortable at the crossroads of industry and culture where, as he puts it, “the most interesting things happen.” Peter’s story Peter grew up in the scenic landscapes of New Zealand. He earned degrees in business and science, focusing on psychology. Afterward, the allure of overseas experience called him to Minneapolis for an internship at a marketing travel company. He embarked on a journey across Europe and was exposed to the communication design industry in London, which led him to a whirlwind of experiences, traveling the world and perfecting presentation graphics for high-profile executives. His journey eventually led him to Amsterdam, where he joined the events world, working backstage to understand the inner workings of grand corporate spectacles. Then his curiosity led him to New York, where he pioneered Wok+Wine, a concept that laid the groundwork for his ultimate quest—designing human connectivity. Through Wok and Wine, he connected people and discovered the power of universal effectiveness in fostering meaningful encounters. That revelation led to his collaboration with academics and his decision to embark on a five-year Ph.D. journey to explore the principles of effective human connectivity.  Transition to New York and the Role of Connections It was challenging for Peter to move to New York and establish Wok+Wine. Having connections in the United States made the transition smoother and his track record in the creative agency and events world allowed him to build a case for obtaining a visa. But even so, the bureaucratic process of moving from place to place was frustrating and time-consuming. Peter emphasizes the significant role connections play in his journey, enabling him to access opportunities and foster various serendipitous encounters that shape his path. The Power of Serendipity and Unlikely Connections Peter believes in the power of serendipity and the need for connection. He understands the magic that happens when diverse minds come together to share experiences in unconventional settings. His concept of Wok+Wine brought together open-minded individuals and created the perfect conditions for serendipitous encounters. He met many people and experienced life-changing opportunities, forming friendships and even starting companies through chance meetings at his Wok+Wine events.  The Evolution and Global Expansion of Wok+Wine Wok +Wine evolved organically from a small event in New York, gradually expanding to different countries and cultures. Initially, there was no intention for the concept to become a business. It was a personal experiment to explore the effects of bringing diverse people together. As the word spread and participants encouraged the continuation of the events, Wok+Wine gained momentum and international recognition. The growing network of participants led to unique encounters, often with strangers, which Peter found to be the most magical and transformative experiences! Unleashing Human Potential and Creating Connection Spaces Peter observed how diverse groups of people, who might feel socially awkward or uncomfortable in conventional networking settings, thrived in the intimate and informal environment of the Wok+Wine events. The power of connection spaces like Wok+Wine allows individuals to shed their apprehension and anxieties about connecting with others. Those environments also let people unleash their potential, converse with unexpected counterparts, and foster meaningful connections. The unique format of the Wok+Wine events, coupled with their locations and the willingness of participants to embrace the unconventional, contributed to its remarkable success in bringing interesting individuals together. Obstacles to Wok+Wine Events   Two main obstacles got in the way of the Wok+Wine events. The first challenge was Peter starting a Ph.D. program, which consumed much of his time and creative energy. The second obstacle was the emergence of COVID-19, which posed a problem for Wok+Wine events since they involved close social interactions, which was not allowed during the pandemic. Resuming Wok+Wine Events  Having completed his Ph.D., Peter is considering restarting the Wok+Wine events because people seem less apprehensive now about close social interactions. Addressing Dietary Preferences and Cultural Considerations  There is a concern that the growing popularity of dietary preferences and cultural considerations (such as vegan, non-gluten, Kosher, etc.) could make it challenging to cater to different needs. Peter is familiar with that issue and understands that providing diverse options is essential when organizing events for larger groups and organizations.  Peter's Transition to Academia and Ph.D.  Peter’s curiosity and fascination with human connectivity led him to academia. He did a PhD to gain a deeper understanding of the power of connections and learn how to design experiences that foster authentic and meaningful human interactions. Breaking the process of human connectivity down into phases  Peter emphasizes the importance of dividing human connectivity into phases like finding, forming, maintaining, leveraging, and disconnecting.  An informed and intentional approach to design experiences There is a need for more informed and intentional approaches to design experiences that promote human connections. Peter would like to apply his research to organizations and products or services that enhance human connectivity to positively impact well-being, creativity, and productivity in individuals. He looks forward to collaborating with others to achieve his goal! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Peter Mandeno On Website On LinkedIn The HBR article Peter mentioned A very early article Peter published on Medium (well pre-Ph.D.) - The Curse of the Canapé

The Business of Meetings – Episode 178 – Anyone Can Become a Great Salesperson with Ron Hubsher We invite you to step into the world of sales expertise and negotiation finesse as we delve into the expertise of a true industry pioneer! Today, we have the distinct privilege of speaking with none other than Ron Hubsher, the visionary behind the field of business-to-business negotiation. Ron is a luminary in his domain. He has authored books on business-to-business negotiation, documented the close of a staggering $600 million deal, and held a distinguished position as a guest lecturer at Harvard University. As the Founder and President of the esteemed Sales Optimization Group, Ron’s wealth of experience promises an enlightening and transformative discussion on how to become a better closer, and a more adept negotiator.  Brace yourself for an exceptional experience as we unlock the secrets to sales success and explore Ron’s tremendous career! If the notion of sales captivates your spirit, prepare to be enthralled by his brilliant insights! Bio: Ron Hubsher is an internationally acclaimed and recognized sales and negotiation effectiveness expert. Ron is CEO of the Sales Optimization Group, an international sales and negotiation training and consulting organization. The company assists clients in technology, health services, medical devices, financial services, professional services, business services, and manufacturing accelerated sales by using its patented sales and negotiation methodologies and tools to increase close rates, reduce discounting, accelerate sales, bring opportunities in as forecasted and make sure clients achieve their goals and hit their numbers. Ron's Journey in Sales  Growing up with an entrepreneurial father who constantly sought to improve his selling skills, Ron got drawn into the world of business-to-business negotiation. The influence of his father, combined with inspiration from Dale Carnegie's timeless book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, sparked his interest in the art and science of selling. From an early age, he read books on sales and ventured into various small businesses, honing his skills as an entrepreneur and sales enthusiast. Having a background in engineering, he approached sales like an engineer, breaking down the process and seeking to manufacture successful outcomes. Key elements for success in business-to-business sales Ron explains that keeping things simple and process-driven makes it possible to achieve remarkable results consistently. He outlines three key elements necessary for success in business-to-business sales, including strong listening and questioning skills, a well-crafted opportunity plan, and a robust negotiation plan.  Harnessing Information to Prepare for Sales  There are advantages and potential challenges presented by the abundance of data on prospects. Ron points out that while having access to information could be empowering, using it effectively depends on the salesperson's approach. Finding commonalities and demonstrating a genuine interest in prospects' lives can create meaningful connections, reduce perceived risks, and facilitate successful negotiations. Virtual Selling  Virtual platforms, like Zoom and Teams, have advantages and disadvantages in sales interactions. While face-to-face encounters might be more difficult to recreate online, Ron emphasizes the value of intimate virtual meetings, where meaningful connections and focused conversations can still occur. He stresses the importance of using those tools to give the salesperson the advantage of adapting the sales process to make it more effective on virtual platforms.  The Magic of Leveraging Personal Passions in Sales There is power in finding and leveraging personal passions in sales, as it can foster a deeper level of connection and trust. Ron explains that highlighting his passion for pole vaulting allowed him to connect with potential clients who resonated with his story. Navigating Challenges and Opportunities when Negotiating on Virtual Platforms Embracing technology and refining negotiation skills are essential for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual sales. Ron acknowledges that negotiating virtually can present challenges, particularly around reading body language. He emphasizes the importance of active listening and probing questions to gain insights into the needs and concerns of the other party. Practical strategies for addressing these challenges include utilizing one-on-one meetings and adapting negotiation tactics to suit virtual interactions.  The Complexity of Business Mechanics Business sales negotiations differ from other types of negotiations. In business sales negotiations, one must consider factors like competing sellers, similar products, and spot transactional negotiators that can make the process more intricate. By interviewing successful business salespeople, Ron developed a seven-step process to simplify and repeat the negotiation approach. The Keys to Being a Successful Negotiator and Closer Ron emphasizes the importance of having a strong sales effort coupled with a robust negotiation plan when looking at the essential qualities one needs to become a successful negotiator and closer in business-to-business sales negotiations. He points out that a powerful sales effort, which focuses on creating value and reducing business and personal risks for the customer, is crucial. By combining that with a well-thought-out plan, negotiators can capitalize on potential and find success. Differentiating Business-to-Business Sales Negotiations Business-to-business sales negotiations require a distinct approach compared to other types of negotiations. Ron mentions three main types of negotiation: conflict/resolution negotiation, spot transactional negotiation, and business-to-business negotiation. He explains that applying conflict/resolution or spot transactional methods to business-to-business negotiations might do more harm than good. Instead, understanding the unique dynamics of business sales negotiations and utilizing a tailored negotiation process can lead to better outcomes. Establishing Trust and Maintaining Relationships with Customers To maintain strong relationships with customers after closing a sale, Ron stresses the significance of following up and maintaining communication with customers to reinforce trust and demonstrate value. He explains that successful sales should lead to quantifiable success stories that are worth much more than the price paid by the customer. Delivering substantial results allows businesses to build lifelong relationships with customers and ensure continued success. Transitioning from Salesperson to Sales Manager The skill set required for sales management differs from the skill set of a salesperson. While a salesperson should excel in functional sales skills, a sales manager needs to focus on hiring, motivating, handling problems, and removing obstacles for the sales team. Ron advises against assuming that the best salesperson will naturally make the best sales manager and suggests implementing a system to support the success of sales managers. Recognition and Success at Harvard and in the Industry Ron attributes the recognition he experienced as a guest lecturer at Harvard and the great opportunities his company received in the industry, to the positive feedback and success stories shared by his satisfied clients.  The Right Approach for Successful Business Sales Negotiations There are critical differences between various types of negotiations, so it is essential to use the right approach for business-to-business sales negotiations. For long-term success in business sales negotiations, it is crucial to demonstrate a strong sales effort, have a well-planned negotiation approach, and maintain customer relationships. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Ron Hubsher On his website (Sales Optimization Group) On LinkedIn Call Ron - (650)-520-9849  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 177 – How to Build the Best Team Ever with David Burkus We are honored to have the distinguished David Burkus returning to the podcast today!  David recently set the literary world ablaze with his groundbreaking new book, Best Team Ever: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams. He is a true thought leader, an exceptional entrepreneur, and an inspiring speaker.  In our riveting discussion, we dive into David's remarkable journey, the art of building exceptional teams, and the invaluable role of people in the ever-evolving landscape of business.  Today’s conversation promises to enlighten, motivate, and transform your perspective on the power of collaboration and leadership! Join us as we delve into the depths of the fascinating world of high-performance teams with the brilliant mind behind it all, David Burkus! You will be inspired and amazed by David’s captivating stories and the profound insights he has to share! Bio David Burkus One of the world’s leading business thinkers, Dr. David Burkus’ forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are helping leaders build their best teams ever. He is the bestselling author of four books about business and leadership. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. Since 2017, Burkus has been ranked multiple times as one of the world’s top business thought leaders. His insights on leadership and teamwork have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USAToday, Fast Company, Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, CNN, the BBC, NPR, and CBS This Morning. A former business school professor, Burkus now works with leaders from organizations across all industries, including PepsiCo, Fidelity, Adobe, and NASA. David’s Journey At 17, David aspired to be a writer focusing on fiction and literature. However, in college, he was exposed to classes that piqued his interest in long-form journalism, true stories, and blending storytelling with insights from social science. That fascination led him to pursue a master's degree and eventually a doctoral program. His primary goal remained writing, but his expertise and captivating speaking abilities gradually attracted requests for speaking engagements. That transition naturally evolved his role from a traditional business school professor to a speaker, with his books and ideas at the core of his business model.  Transitioning from Teaching to Speaking and Consulting In 2016, David released his second book, which explored practices, policies, and the future of work in the business world. That endeavor kept him remarkably occupied, leading him to gradually scale down his teaching commitments and shift his focus toward speaking engagements and consulting work.  A Significant Change The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a significant change in David’s career trajectory. While teaching during the pandemic, the financial constraints faced by private institutions prompted him to reassess his priorities. Recognizing the growing demand for his expertise outside of academia, he transitioned away from teaching and immersed himself fully in speaking engagements and consulting opportunities.  The Origin of Best Team Ever The idea for David’s latest book, Best Team Ever, took shape as he worked with organizations, especially when discussing the concept of leading from anywhere. During those interactions and team collaborations, he realized that one's work experience is often influenced more by team culture than organizational culture. That revelation gained further significance during the pandemic, as remote and hybrid work models reshaped the landscape of teamwork.  The Key to Building High-performing Teams David emphasizes that the key to building high-performing teams lies in cultivating a strong team culture and equipping every manager, regardless of their level, to serve as Chief Culture Officer for their respective teams. This shift in focus from macro-level company culture to micro-level team culture became the central theme of his book, emphasizing the profound impact of team dynamics and how they shape performance in the modern work environment. Common Understanding Common understanding consists of two essential components: clarity and empathy. Clarity focuses on how well team members understand their tasks, expectations, and their trust in one another to fulfill those expectations. Empathy is about understanding individual differences, work preferences, communication styles, and the context in which team members operate. It is essential to understand those nuances, as they enable effective collaboration and remove assumptions, ultimately fostering a stronger sense of understanding within the team. Creating a Safe Environment  High-performing teams require a safe space for individuals to express their differing opinions, engage in difficult conversations, and take interpersonal risks. David explains that psychological safety is not about avoiding disagreements or divergent ideas. It is about cultivating a team environment where individuals respond respectfully when faced with risk or disagreement.  Leadership Leaders play a pivotal role in modeling that behavior, fostering a culture of respectful communication, and ensuring that people feel heard, acknowledged, and supported after taking risks. Psychological Safety Building psychological safety involves teaching individuals how to respond respectfully to differing opinions. By recognizing that logical conclusions stem from unique perspectives and assumptions of individuals, teams can approach disagreements by exploring underlying assumptions and finding common ground. That approach enhances the decision-making process, encourages personal growth, and fosters an environment of open communication and trust. Two Surprises in Best Team Ever Two surprises are to be found within Best Team Ever. The first is that talent alone does not make a successful team. Instead, the team's culture should bring out the best in individuals. The second is that despite the unique aspects of dysfunctional teams, high-performing teams consistently exhibit the same three elements: common understanding, psychological safety, and a pro-social purpose. Those insights challenge conventional beliefs and shed light on the unexpected factors that drive team success. Leaders Being Vulnerable and Admitting Uncertainty When the leadership in large organizations believes it always has to have the answers and be invincible, it can lead to clueless leaders unwilling to admit their lack of knowledge or understanding. By being open about not having all the answers and seeking help, leaders can create a safe space where others feel comfortable contributing their knowledge and expertise. Prosocial Purpose with Meaning and Impact The emphasis in organizations should be on understanding who the work serves and how it impacts specific individuals. Instead of crafting mission statements that mention shareholder value and other generic terms, leaders should tell stories about the people directly affected by the work. That shift in perspective motivates and engages employees, fosters a sense of meaning and contribution among team members, and promotes a stronger commitment to the organization's goals. Vulnerability, Openness, and Honesty Today’s conversation highlights the importance of leaders starting with their own vulnerability to set the tone for psychological safety within the organization. By creating an environment where honesty and openness are valued, leaders can inspire their teams to be authentic and collaborative. That approach, coupled with a clear pro-social purpose, can drive employee engagement, foster innovation, and lead to long-term success for the organization.   Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website   Connect with David Burkus On his Website On LinkedIn

We are thrilled to converse with the legendary Bruce Merrin today!  Bruce is the mastermind behind the renowned Celebrity Speakers Bureau and has been a driving force in shaping the entertainment industry for over fifty years! With an unparalleled ability to spot talent and bring together remarkable individuals, he has curated a legacy that has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. From the quick-witted banter of Johnny Carson to the heartfelt charm exuded by Michael Landon, and from the unmatched charisma of Muhammad Ali to his mesmerizing encounter with the iconic Elvis Presley, Bruce has had the privilege of experiencing captivating stories from the forefront of the industry. Join us as we embark on an unforgettable journey through the glitz, glamor, and untold secrets of the stars through the eyes of the man who made it his mission to bring their voice to the world! Where it all started for Bruce It all began fifty years ago with his first celebrity client, the iconic Michael Landon! In a lunch meeting, Michael shared his excitement about a new show he was working on called Little House on the Prairie. Bruce immediately took Michael to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, who happened to adore him! After the show, Johnny invited Bruce and Michael to his lavish Malibu home for dinner and proposed a life-changing idea. He suggested that Bruce start a celebrity speakers bureau, with Johnny as the first client. Bruce agreed, and Michael Landon declared himself the second client! The next day, Ed McMahon reached out to Bruce to express his desire to join the bureau.  The Influence of His Mother  Bruce credits his beloved mother for the incredible opportunities and successes he experienced throughout his career. From encouraging him to pursue journalism classes in high school to suggesting he apply to UCLA's prestigious film school, his mother played a pivotal role in shaping his path. Her guidance led him to secure a job at MGM Studios, where he worked in the renowned Thalberg building. Bruce's Mother  As a pioneer in public relations, Bruce’s mother operated a successful Hollywood-based entertainment PR firm. She recognized Bruce's talents and potential and made him an enticing offer to join her at General Service Movie Studios, where she continued teaching him the intricacies of the PR business. In the three years Bruce worked with his mother, he gained invaluable knowledge and experience, particularly in handling high-profile authors.   Simon and Schuster Securing the account of Simon and Schuster, the world's largest publisher, was a remarkable achievement because it allowed Bruce and his mother to handle the monthly PR for all their top authors. A Remarkable Invitation Within his first week at MGM, Bruce received a remarkable invitation from the president himself- a lunch meeting with Elvis Presley! That encounter marked the beginning of Bruce's involvement in handling the publicity for Elvis's film, Elvis on Tour, which cemented his connection with the legendary performer. Elvis Presley  Elvis, known for his humility, treated everyone with kindness and generosity, whether they were part of the film crew or fellow performers. Bruce was privileged to work with Elvis on multiple films and witnessed the star's genuine thoughtfulness. After completing a movie, Elvis would gift extravagant presents to the entire staff, including directors, producers, grips, and sound technicians! Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson left indelible marks on Bruce, not only for their athletic achievements but also for their resilience and powerful messages. Bruce had had meaningful exchanges with both of them about addressing racism and its ugly consequences. Ali and Robinson exemplified strength and integrity in their respective fields and left lasting impressions on Bruce's life and career. Scott Carpenter's Troubled Appearance   Bruce had a notable incident involving Scott Carpenter, one of the original seven astronauts, whom he had booked for a speaking engagement in Orlando. Scott arrived intoxicated, leaving the event organizers in a difficult situation. In spite of the embarrassment, Bruce still considered Scott's well-being and urged him to seek help for his alcoholism. Scott later addressed his struggles in a book and found a path to recovery.  Custom-Tailoring Celebrity Talks  When booking celebrities, Bruce connects them with certified meeting planners to discuss the event's theme, demographics, and audience. That allows the celebrities to craft talks that will resonate with the attendees on a deeper level. Randy Otto  Randy Otto has a deep understanding of Churchill's persona. That, combined with his dedication to studying and embodying the iconic figure, allows him to deliver impactful speeches that provide insights into managing businesses effectively. Bruce emphasizes the power of well-crafted impersonations and personalized talks in captivating audiences and making a lasting impression.  Negotiating Terms  When negotiating with celebrities, Bruce emphasizes the importance of being clear about the keynote fee and establishing additional activities, such as roundtables or photo sessions, as part of the overall agreement.  Bruce's Advice for Negotiating Celebrity Bookings  Bruce highlights the importance of setting clear expectations when booking celebrities and negotiating their terms. By establishing a comprehensive agreement upfront, event planners will ensure a smooth and satisfactory experience for all parties involved.  Bio: Bruce Merrin I was born in Louisville, KY, and my client Muhammad Ali loved that! We talked about that a lot! I graduated from Grant High School in San Fernando Valley, CA, and my best friends were Tom Selleck, Mickey Dolenz (The Monkees), Mike Curb (Curb Records Nashville), Mike Post (12 number-one hits to TV series like Hill St. Blues and Law and Order), John Washbrook (TV star of My friend Flicka). My girlfriend at Grant was Cheryl from The Mouseketeers Show, with gorgeous blonde hair and blue eyes. I graduated from the legendary UCLA Film School.  While I was there, I starred in the Broadway hit play Tea and Sympathy. I had the lead role. Unforgettable experience! My acting teacher recommended only me to audition for Hollywood Squares. I got on the show and won the Secret Square with Paul Lynde, with tens of thousands of dollars in prizes! My mom suggested after graduating from UCLA that I apply for a job at MGM Studios. I got a gem job working in the Thalberg Building. My first client was Elvis in his film, Elvis on Tour. I had a memorable lunch with Elvis in the commissary and told him "We are going to get along great...we are both MAMA's BOYS!" I then joined my beloved mom's historic entertainment PR Firm at General Service Studios in Hollywood. Mom was one of only two women who had Hollywood PR firms. For three years, she taught me the PR business. I owe everything to my Mom! During the first week working for Mom, I walk into the office and Oscar Academy Award winner Joan Crawford is seated at moms desk! Joan gets up, hugs me, and says, “Your mom is the BEST PR exec that has ever represented me!”. George Burns was our next-door office member at the movie studio. Many movies and hit TV series were shot there. One day Mom told me that Michael Landon was shooting a film. I got entrance into the stage set, met Michael, and gave him my business card. He became my first PR client.  Working with mom, Simon & Schuster was our client. Every month, we had a number one S&S author. We set national tours for them. It was an invaluable experience! Mom taught me how to handle entertainment PR. Invaluable! After three years, I launched my own PR Firm. My first two entertainment clients were Michael Landon and Johnny Carson. My first two sports star clients were Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali. You have heard the Johnny Carson story. After booking Michael Landon on the Carson show, Johnny invited us to dinner at his Malibu home. Johnny toasted us with Cabernet Sauvignon and told me to start a Celebrity Speakers Bureau. Johnny said he would be my first client. Michael then chimed in, and Ed McMahon called me the next day. So, Bruce Merrin's Celebrity Speakers & Ent was launched FIFTY YEARS ago! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Bruce Merrin Bruce Merrin’s Celebrity Speakers Bruce Merrin on LinkedIn

The Business of Meetings – Episode 175 - What Do You Need to Be Employable? with Ira Wolfe In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting employment landscapes, the future of work remains a topic of paramount importance.  Today, we have the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Ira Wolfe, a renowned expert in the field. We delve into his remarkable career trajectory and explore the challenges and rewards of changing professions later in life. We also uncover Ira’s invaluable insights on pursuing passion and navigating the uncharted waters of growth, mindset, and adaptability.  Join us as we embark on this enlightening journey, destined to illuminate the path to success in the ever-evolving world of work! Bio: Ira S Wolfe, the "Millennial trapped in a Baby Boomer body," is one of the top 5 global thought leaders on the future of work and HR. He is the president and Chief Googlization Officer of Poised for the Future Company, senior consultant with Dame Leadership, and host of the top-rated Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast. Ira is a TEDx Speaker and 2022 inductee into the HRSouthwest Conference Speaker Hall of Fame. He is co-author of Create Great Culture in a Remote World, and author of Recruiting in the Age of Googlization, consistently nominated to best recruiting and HR book lists. He is a frequent contributor to Forbes and Medium and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, INC Magazine, Fast Company, and dozens more. Ira’s story Ira’s remarkable journey was driven initially by his childhood desire to become a dentist. Despite having no familial background in dentistry, he persevered and traversed the educational milestones from high school to dental school, eventually establishing his own successful practice during economically turbulent times. However, he could not shake his aversion to the fundamental tasks of drilling and filling. Realizing his true passion lay elsewhere, he left his dental career to seek more fulfilling work. Although career transitions and soul-searching have become commonplace today, Ira undertook this journey more than three decades ago when such shifts were far less prevalent. Embracing his calling to assist others in finding meaningful work and reassessing their priorities, he embarked on a mission to help people discover genuine fulfillment in their professional lives. From Dentistry to Business in Practice In his dental practice, Ira focused on marketing, content creation, customer service, staff management, and hiring the right people. However, he wanted to help professionals in technical fields like dentists, physicians, accountants, attorneys, and engineers with the business side of their practices. So he started a business called Business in Practice to offer advice and guidance. Despite his success, he soon realized that many clients only wanted him to solve their problems without changing their behavior. Unable to accommodate their demands, Ira fired them all, rebranded his company as Successful Performance Solutions, and discovered his passion for employee assessments and diagnostic processes.  Personality Tests  Ira was always passionate about leadership, frequently participating in personality tests and management courses. Those experiences eventually led him to a sales training office where he encountered the DISC assessment tool, which he had previously used to understand his dental partners' different personality styles. Understanding the four P's: problems, people, pace, and procedures, Ira realized that personality assessments worked as a common language for teams with diverse approaches. With a team of 16 individuals, including two providers, he embraced the variety of personalities within the team, recognizing that each individual's unique perspective added value to the overall functioning of the group. Becoming a Thought Leader Ira found his passion in diagnosing and solving problems. (Which he enjoyed in dentistry as well.) He integrated various personality assessments into his business and became a thought leader in the future of work. Eventually, he sold the business and shifted his focus to speaking about the future of work and advising business owners on team-building and the changing workforce. A diminishing labor market  Ira created a video discussing the declining birth rate in the United States and its implications on the workforce. Comparing it to countries like China, Russia, and European nations with low birth rates, he emphasizes that the US also faces socio-economic challenges due to a shortage of young people to support an aging population. His video presents statistical data showing that from the 1950s to the 1980s, there was a significant influx of new workers into the US workforce, driven by economic growth and increased female participation. However, with the emergence of Generation X in the late 1980s and 1990s, although their numbers were smaller, it did not cause much impact due to the continued presence of the large baby boomer generation. The introduction of the millennial generation further increased the population entering the workforce. However, since 2010, the birth rate has declined, and immigration policies have significantly reduced the number of new workers. The current trend indicates that by 2025, only 200,000 natural-born workers will enter the workforce annually, compared to the previous average of 2 million. Additionally, the aging baby boomer generation further diminishes the labor market. The Future of Work While the United States may have a larger population of young people than other developed countries, it still falls short of the workforce needed to sustain its economy. Ira suggests that automation could provide some assistance but dismisses the fear that AI and technology will completely replace jobs. He contends that individuals who refuse to learn new skills and adapt are the most likely to be displaced.  A High Demand for Blue-collar Skills and Trades Ira emphasizes the high demand for blue-collar skills and trades because the jobs they do are not easily replaceable by automation or robots. He acknowledges the importance of education but argues that not everyone needs a four-year college degree. The Challenges Retiring Baby Boomers Face when Returning to the Workforce  While some boomers may need to return to work for financial reasons, many lack the necessary skills and physical stamina for jobs that require technological expertise. Better leadership, management, and productivity are needed to address those challenges. There is also a shift in the mindset of younger generations, who prioritize work-life balance and are unwilling to sacrifice their personal lives for work. That, coupled with a shrinking working population, further complicates the labor market. The lack of caregivers is another issue in the broader context of workforce concerns. A Polarized World Ira acknowledges the highly polarized nature of the current world and highlights the consensus among economists and business leaders that a different immigration policy is needed. While countries like Europe and Asia face low birth rates and aging populations, Africa has a large population of capable individuals willing to take on various job opportunities. However, it is still essential to provide fair wages and avoid exploitation.  Overcoming the Fear of Change Despite the challenges and fears associated with technological advancements and societal changes, Ira remains hopeful about the future. He believes that technology and progress will lead to breakthroughs in healthcare and allow people to enjoy life rather than carrying the burden of medical expenses. He emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset, being open to learning new skills, and overcoming the fear of change.  Adapting to an Evolving World Adaptability is a crucial skill for the future, in addition to resilience, cognitive agility, and the ability to unlearn outdated practices. Despite being an older baby boomer, Ira encourages individuals of all ages to embrace a better future and remain productive by continuously adapting to the evolving world. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Ira Wolfe On Linkedin  On his website  On YouTube  Geeks Geezers Googlization Podcast

The Business of Meetings – Episode 174 – She Is Crushing It! with Sindhu Srivastava We are delighted to be speaking with Sindhu Shrivastava today!  Sindhu is a true embodiment of the American Dream! She made her mark in the business world as the owner and CEO of Meaningful Data and with We Crush Events. Her latest feat, the successful acquisition of a prominent company within the meetings and event industry, has brought her even greater acclaim.  Today, we have the privilege of delving into the captivating story of Sindhu's entrepreneurial prowess and discovering the secrets behind her triumph. Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary journey of this acquisition entrepreneur extraordinaire! Sindhu’s story Sindhu was born in Nellore, India. Her parents, a Hindu father, and a Christian mother, each hailed from unique backgrounds. Her father was the first educated individual in his family. Excelling academically, he also became a gold medalist in college. Her mother's upbringing was equally extraordinary, with her grandmother raising three daughters as a single parent in the 1950s in India, defying societal expectations. Despite the challenges they faced, Sindhu's mother and her sisters achieved remarkable professional success, with her mother even becoming a national chess champion! Against the wishes of their community, her parents married.  With an unwavering focus on education, Sindhu's journey from a small town in India unfolds as a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence! A rare achievement Sindhu was one of the few women in India to secure a spot in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). Out of 500 million women in India, she was one of only 150 to make it into the IITs in her year. She attributes her success to the unwavering support of her parents, even if their methods were sometimes intense. Giving back Sindhu believes in providing support and resources to people to encourage them to strive for excellence and reach their full potential. Giving back and offering assistance is a fundamental aspect of her life because she believes it contributes to the overall success she experiences. Management consulting Upon arriving in the United States to pursue a graduate program at Ohio State University, Sindhu's primary motivation was to secure a stable income to alleviate her father's debt. While exploring various career paths as a graduate student, she discovered management consulting and was captivated by its potential to solve complex problems. She then delved into management consulting and began advising companies on improving their business operations and fostering growth. That experience naturally paved the way for a career in analytics.  Wharton With a flourishing career in analytics spanning nearly two decades, Sindhu realized the significance of having an MBA to advance to leadership positions. Observing that many Vice Presidents and Heads of Analytics held this qualification, she saw the need to pursue higher education. In her search for the world's top business schools, Wharton emerged as the ideal choice, aligning with her quantitative mindset and ambition. She applied to Wharton and was admitted. The experience at Wharton transformed her goals, shifting her aspirations from heading analytics departments to aspiring to become a CEO. Today, Sindhu proudly serves as the CEO of two companies, a testament to her relentless pursuit of success and unwavering dedication to personal and professional growth. Striving for recognition As a person of color, Sindhu strives for recognition based on her intelligence, ambition, and the valuable contributions she can offer rather than enduring dismissive treatment. She encourages others to confront their own realities, ensuring that truth prevails, and to take decisive action to pursue more fulfilling endeavors.  Seeking a better fit Sindhu initially believed that joining a large corporation with diversity initiatives would provide the necessary backing. However, she discovered that the politics within these corporations were more intense than anticipated. Seeking a better fit, she transitioned to smaller companies but encountered a recurring pattern where her identity, personality, and values clashed with the corporate culture. Sindhu’s ambition   Sindhu realized that no existing corporations in the US aligned with her vision, so she decided to create her own company. Her ambition with We Crush Events is to establish a Fortune 500 company that embodies her values and provides an inclusive and fulfilling workplace. Meaningful Data Sindhu started Meaningful Data in October 2022 and became an acquisition entrepreneur several weeks ago. Data-driven strategies Data alone lacks interest and significance unless it applies to a meaningful context or situation. Sindhu believes that data-driven strategies need a muse, a story, or a scenario to become engaging and impactful. That realization led her to desire her own company where she could consolidate her knowledge and apply her data-driven recommendations to drive growth. Her goal was to demonstrate the power of data-driven thinking by growing a company and by sharing the success story with others. As the CEO of such a company, Sindhu aims to showcase the transformative results achieved through efficient business operations and emphasize the value of analysts having a seat at the decision-making table. Karma Sindhu has always believed that if you spend your life doing good things, they will return to you multiplied. Joyful workplaces Sindhu believes building joyful workplaces requires people to gather together to foster connection and support mental health. Despite budget cuts and the perception of events as unnecessary luxuries, she argues that organizations cannot expect to have deeply engaged individuals without the meaningful interactions facilitated by events. Investing in employee, customer, partner, shareholder, and investor engagement is crucial for organizational success. Sindhu predicts that over time, people will recognize the significance of those engagements and aims for her company to be a leader in spearheading that realization. Caring Sindhu discovered the importance of caring because it benefits others while also enhancing her own emotional intelligence. By genuinely caring, she experiences personal growth and becomes a better wife, mother, and overall individual. She realizes that caring can also be selfish in a positive way, as it allows her to learn and expand her understanding of the world. Overcoming sexism and racism Realizing she was racist and sexist came as a moment of deep shame for Sindhu, mainly because she is a woman of color. By recognizing the influence of societal norms and communities, she realized that racism and sexism can permeate everyone's beliefs, including her own. She points out that accepting our biases is a crucial first step toward effecting change. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Sindhu Srivastava Meaningful Data  We Crush Events Sindhu Srivastava on LinkedIn

The Business of Meetings – Episode 173 – BLUR - Clear the Way Ahead with Susan Ford Collins We are delighted to speak with the remarkable Susan Ford Collins today!  With her extensive experience as a coach for diverse individuals and organizations, Susan has touched the lives of countless people all over the world, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve unparalleled success. Having initially captivated readers with her previous book, The Joy of Success, Susan has recently graced us with her latest literary triumph, BLUR: Clear the Way Ahead.  In this episode, we have the privilege of delving into Susan's wealth of knowledge. She shares invaluable insights, discusses her journey, and enlightens us on navigating the complexities of life and the importance of believing in yourself.  Bio: Susan works with founders and leaders, creators and innovators, startups, and restarts. Susan has a busy Executive Coaching Practice in Miami and worldwide via Zoom. Susan has facilitated more than 4,000 training sessions in major corporations, educational and governmental organizations, and coached teams and individuals worldwide in person and via Zoom. She is the Founder and CEO of The Technology of Success, a training, consulting, and coaching company that teaches 10 skills she discovered highly successful people use unconsciously and struggle to consciously pass on.  Are you using ALL TEN Success Skills, at the right time?  Susan Ford Collins is the bestselling author of the Technology of Success Book Series: The Joy of Success, Success Has Gears, Our Children Are Watching, and now, Book 4, BLUR: Clear the Way Ahead, and all are available on Amazon and Audible. Susan’s story Working as a researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Susan initially believed she would study the keys to success and what contributes to individuals becoming valuable members of society. However, she soon realized the focus was on illness and dysfunction. Undeterred by the laughter of senior psychologists when they expressed their opposing viewpoints, she remained steadfast and embarked on a mission to study successful people and uncover their unique skill sets. Through a serendipitous encounter with Buckminster Fuller, a renowned architect, Susan began her journey of learning and sharing skills with others.  The importance of believing in your dreams Susan emphasizes the importance of believing in your dreams. She highlights the significance of being open to unconventional ideas, as they often hold the potential for remarkable breakthroughs, and the practice of success filing, where people foster a sense of self-worth and motivation by taking the time to acknowledge their daily achievements and milestones. She also stresses the power of celebrating the successes of others, as that creates a positive and supportive environment that uplifts individuals and teams. Promising ideas often get dismissed With extensive experience in corporate boardrooms and collaborating with numerous CEOs, Susan gained a profound understanding of the unfortunate reality where promising ideas frequently get dismissed and ridiculed, resulting in their failure to materialize. Success filing One of the skills Susan observed among successful individuals is what she refers to as success filing. It involves taking time each day to acknowledge your accomplishments, regardless of how insignificant they may seem. Success filing allows people to recognize their progress and build a positive mindset. Engaging in success filing only requires a few minutes of reflection to review the day's actions, thoughts, lessons learned, and beneficial encounters. That practice cultivates self-awareness, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment. Success Most people have never taken the time to define what success truly means to them. In exploring the concept, Susan discovered a three-fold understanding of success from conversations with successful people. Those individuals described success as encompassing three essential components. The first is completion, which involves finishing tasks and projects and acknowledging the accomplishment. The second is deletion, which refers to recognizing when a particular approach or strategy is not working and letting go of it to explore alternative paths. Finally, success can involve creation, where individuals can identify and commit to viable and innovative ideas and take action to bring them to fruition.  Flexibility Flexibility and adaptability are essential when approaching challenges or pursuing goals. Many people repeat the same actions and encounter the same obstacles without considering alternative approaches. Recognizing the need for a shift in strategy is crucial. It involves acknowledging the value of your ideas while being open to modifying them to better align with the situation at hand. You also need to know when to let go of an approach that is not working. Envisioning your success to perform better By programming your brain's reticular activating system correctly, you can tap into your unconscious abilities and perform better. However, if you dwell on old painful memories or have been through a series of negative experiences, fear could dominate your thinking, leading to constant anticipation of negative outcomes. Revisiting the ten skills she had been teaching Susan faced multiple traumatic events, including natural disasters and cancer diagnoses within her family. She felt so overwhelmed, confused, and traumatized that she began developing fears and difficulties in daily life. To cope with those challenges, she revisited the ten skills she had been teaching in numerous training sessions worldwide. By consciously applying skills like successful selling and creating detailed plans, she managed to experience a positive mindset shift and regained clarity and control over her life. Why Susan wrote her latest book, BLUR Before the pandemic, Susan experienced the loss of both her husband and sister. Then she observed the devastating impact COVID had on her businesses and the people she coached. Many others also found their lives completely disrupted, losing their identity and struggling to navigate the uncertainty. Many people have been living in a blur since then. It felt like the book chose Susan For Susan, it felt like the book chose her rather than the other way around. It consumed her thoughts and woke her up at night, compelling her to take notes even when she did not want to. She felt an inner drive to organize her thoughts and use her skills to regain her sanity. In the book, she shares personal stories, including the confusion surrounding the death of her husband and the impact it had on her mental state.  The people we surround ourselves with We must be careful when selecting the people we surround ourselves with because negative influences can hinder our progress and discourage our entrepreneurial endeavors. Learning from failure Avoid becoming fearful of failure. That could prevent you from trying anything new. Failure is a crucial aspect of the learning process. People learn from their own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others.   Remembering our losses and failures Our bodies and brains are wired to remember. Remembering our past experiences helps us avoid danger and make better choices. Trying to forget is futile because our memories are deeply ingrained. Instead, we should adopt a healing approach to remembering and reconstructing past events with the knowledge and experience we have gained since then. Taking detailed notes and seeking input from others present during our challenging moments can assist us in remembering events scientifically and constructively.  A harmful habit A harmful habit people often engage in is avoiding open discussions and burying their thoughts and experiences. By doing so, they miss out on valuable opportunities to learn from others and gain insights from the subtle nuances that emerge through meaningful conversations. What you stand to gain from reading BLUR The pandemic brought about a profound sense of isolation and disconnection, leading many to sadness and depression. The fear and anxiety surrounding the virus have created a pervasive sense of apprehension, where even simple acts like hugging or traveling have become sources of fear. Amid this challenging time, we must engage in conversations and share personal stories. When we open up and discuss our experiences, we can find solace in the fact that we are not alone in our struggles. BLUR catalyzes those discussions, providing a platform to delve into deep and personal narratives.  Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Susan Ford Collins On her website On LinkedIn Sign up for Susan Ford Collins’s Short and Sweet Secrets of Success   Susan’s Books BLUR: Clear the Way Ahead... even in the worst of times The Joy of Success: 10 Essential Skills for Getting the Success You Want (The Technology of Success) Success Has Gears: Using the Right Gear at the Right Time in Business and Life (The Technology of Success) Our Children Are Watching: 10 Skills for Leading the Next Generation to Success (The Technology of Success)

The Business of Meetings – Episode 172 – Never Lose an Employee Again with Joey Coleman Get ready to embark on a journey filled with invaluable insights and captivating stories! We are delighted to be joined by the one and only Joey Coleman, a true master in the art of customer and employee retention! With his groundbreaking new book, Never Lose an Employee Again, Joey has delved once more into the depths of human connections and organizational dynamics - this time to unravel the secrets of building long-lasting, loyal, teams. His tireless dedication and the meticulous research of his team yielded remarkable insights and the profound wisdom he brings to the table!  Joey Coleman is a trailblazer whose storytelling prowess will leave you spellbound! Prepare to be inspired today as he shares his compelling stories, anecdotes, insights, and wisdom! Joey Coleman Bio When organizations like Whirlpool, NASA, Volkswagen Australia, Principal Financial, and Zappos need to boost their customer or employee experience, they call on Joey Coleman for assistance. For over twenty years, Joey has helped organizations retain their best people (customers and employees) and turn them into raving fans via his entertaining and actionable keynotes, workshops, and consulting projects. His First 100 Days® methodology helps fuel the successful experiences his clients deliver around the world. In his Wall Street Journal #2 bestselling book, Never Lose a Customer Again, Joey shares strategies and tactics for turning one-time purchasers into lifelong customers - while dramatically increasing profits along the way. His upcoming book, Never Lose an Employee Again, details a framework that companies around the world can use to reduce turnover and increase employee engagement. As a recognized expert in experience design and an award-winning speaker at national and international conferences, Joey specializes in creating unique, attention-grabbing experiences for customers and employees. He works with companies ranging from small VC-funded start-ups to large Fortune 500s, with hundreds of mid-size businesses in between. Joey developed his narrative skills as a criminal defense trial attorney, advised and counseled Fortune 500 companies as a business consultant, honed his communications and messaging skills at the White House, and did things for the U.S. Secret Service and the CIA that he can't talk about publicly! His design and artwork have been displayed in museums, featured in juried shows, and graced publications in the U.S. and abroad. When not traveling the world (52 countries and counting on all seven continents) for keynote presentations, client workshops, and quality beach time, Joey enjoys playing board games, building LEGO sets, and reading bedtime stories with his amazing wife and two young sons. Where business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs tend to fail One of the most common frustrations expressed by business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs is the desire for their employees to care about the business as much as they do. However, employees also yearn for care and concern from their employers. The principle of reciprocity in human relationships emphasizes that if we want others to treat us a certain way or share our beliefs, we must demonstrate it to them first. While most employers are adept at telling their employees about the benefits they provide, they often fail to lead by example to create personal and emotional connections.  Showing care right from the start Employers should showcase how they will care for their employees from the outset. Showing care should start immediately when a potential employee reads the job description and encounters the employer's brand.  The philosophy behind Joey’s new book, Never Lose an Employee Again Just as companies sell their products or services to clients, they should also sell the company to their employees. That perspective underlies the philosophy behind Joey's book, Never Lose an Employee Again, in which, despite his change in focus from customer experience to employee experience, he recognizes that humans crave appreciation, value, and a sense of belonging, whether they are customers or employees.  The inspiring story of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton Sir Ernest Shackleton, a renowned explorer of the early 20th century, was best known for his ambitious Endurance Expedition to Antarctica. As he assembled a team for this unprecedented endeavor, Shackleton sought to recruit individuals from various backgrounds, including cooks, sailors, seamen, captains, and scientists. Their mission was to explore Antarctica and reach the South Pole. After preparing in South America, they set sail for Antarctica, only to have their ship trapped in the ice, ultimately breaking apart and sinking after ten months. Stranded on the ice, they embarked on a challenging journey back to civilization, enduring harsh conditions for two years. Astonishingly, despite the treacherous circumstances, all 27 crew members survived.  Shackleton's research shed light on something unique Shackleton's research shed light on a unique factor contributing to their survival. During the interview process, he asked each candidate if they sang because he recognized the power of communal singing in boosting morale and fostering a sense of connection on the cold Antarctic nights. He understood that joining together in song around the fire could motivate people to persevere.  A question for employers to consider That revelation has prompted employers to come up with a single question they can ask prospective employees to determine if they possess the right attitude to join their organizations. Employers should focus not only on skills and qualifications but also on the qualities that contribute to a positive and cohesive team dynamic. Employees’ expectations Employees have evolved in their expectations. They no longer only desire a job or a paycheck. They also seek a meaningful career and a promising future. They crave a sense of progress and accomplishment and expect their employers to acknowledge and support those aspirations. That is why merely instructing employees to figure things out and follow the traditional career-development path is no longer sufficient today. A partnership mentality Employers must embrace a partnership mentality and actively participate in the journeys of their employees, recognizing their ambitions and helping them navigate the ever-changing professional landscape. Creating meaningful connections within an organization Leaders are responsible for demonstrating and encouraging meaningful connections within an organization as it expands and the number of employees grows. By setting an example and emphasizing the importance of relationships, leaders can inspire their direct reports to prioritize and nurture connections with their teams. Actively engaging with frontline workers and employees outside the immediate team also helps to foster a sense of community and strengthen connections within a company. The importance of engaging with employees on a personal level As a leader, it is essential to engage with your employees on a personal level. Take the time to discover their interests, such as their favorite sports teams, actors, or musicians. That will allow you to have friendly conversations, engage in playful banter, share jokes, foster a sense of camaraderie with your team, and create a positive and enjoyable work environment.  Why Joey recommends sending interview questions to candidates in advance  Instead of asking generic questions about strengths and weaknesses, it is better to ask thought-provoking questions that will allow candidates to showcase their problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. That approach provides a more engaging and insightful way to learn about the personalities and capabilities of the candidates.  Where have all the people gone? The shortage of available workers post-pandemic can be due to several factors. There was a significant reduction in the workforce due to COVID-related deaths. Many individuals had to leave their jobs to care for family members and have yet to return or have returned to more junior positions. Changes in immigration policies resulted in a decrease in the number of eligible workers, and many employees realized that their jobs undervalued them, prompting career changes and relocations. Additionally, there is a declining trend in the number of young workers entering the workforce each year, and the shift toward remote work and global competitiveness for talent has changed the landscape. The shortage is a combination of those factors rather than a single cause. Benefits for employees Employers should focus on understanding what truly matters to their employees rather than relying on superficial perks like foosball tables. They could offer employees unlimited babysitting or reimbursement for house cleaning. Those benefits create stability in their employees' personal lives, which ultimately translates to workplace stability.  Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Joey Coleman On his website On LinkedIn Episode 13: How to Never Lose a Customer with Joey Coleman Joey’s Books Never Lose An Employee Again Never Lose A Customer Again  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 171- How Trust is Impacting Business and Life with Dr. Yoram Solomon Today we have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Yoram Solomon!  With an impressive background that includes organizing, facilitating, and speaking at five or six TED conferences, Yoram has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of trust and entrepreneurship. His extensive expertise is reflected in the 19 books he has authored on the subject, showcasing his unwavering commitment to unlocking the power of trust. He also has a podcast called The Trust Show. Step into the world of trust and inspiration today as we bring you an exclusive conversation with the remarkable Yoram Solomon! In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of trust and the behind-the-scenes magic of TED conferences, and we uncover the invaluable insights of the guru of trust! Bio: Dr. Yoram Solomon is the author of The Book of TRUST and host of The TRUST Show podcast. He published a total of 19 books, holds 9 patents, and was one of the creators of Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 technologies, for which he was dubbed "TI's Great Innovator." Dr. Solomon was named one of the top 10 global thought leaders in Culture and HR by Thinkers360 and one of the Top 40 Innovation Bloggers by Innovation Excellence. He was a columnist at Inc. Magazine, Innovation Excellence, and other publications, where he published 300+ articles. Dr. Solomon holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, an MBA from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, an LLB from the Tel-Aviv University Law School, and an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering from Ort Singalovski. He completed the Executive Marketing Management Program at Stanford University and the Developing the Strategic Leader program at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in Colorado Springs. Dr. Solomon is certified by CCL to administer the KEYS and SKILLSCOPE assessments and is an authorized provider of school board training by the Texas Education Agency. He has founded several startups and sold a startup company in Silicon Valley. He has held various positions from General Manager of a $100m business unit in a Fortune 200 company to Vice-President of Corporate Strategy and Innovation and CEO. Dr. Solomon held (and still holds) positions as an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Hadassah Academic College in Jerusalem.  A National Speakers Association Professional Speaker, he spoke at several different national and regional conferences, including the Human Resources Southwest Annual Conference, the Association for Strategic Planning National Conference, CDX Annual Conference, and many more. Yoram was the host of the first TEDx Plano (2014) and spoke at TEDx Oaklawn (2018) and TEDx Plano Senior HS (2022). His customers include a wide range of Fortune 500 companies as well as startups, for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations, in a broad spectrum of industries from technology to retail, healthcare, defense, and education. He served companies such as AT&T, Dannon, Amway, Texas Instruments, and many more, who described his keynotes and workshops as transformative.  In 2015, he was elected to the Plano Independent School District Board of Trustees. Yoram served in the IDF 35th Airborne Paratrooper Brigade and as a USAF CAP pilot and Aerospace Education Officer. How Yoram’s passion for trust came about Thirty years ago, Yoram started his journey as an engineer, immersing himself in software and hardware development. His unwavering passion for innovation always burned brightly within him, and he found it challenging to select a topic for his doctoral dissertation that would not only enrich his own life but also enhance the lives of others. So he embarked on an endeavor that diverged from the prevailing notion that a good dissertation is a completed one, and a question emerged: Why do individuals display greater creativity in small startup companies compared to larger, more established ones? That inquiry deeply resonated with his personal experiences, and it started his two-year research journey, which ultimately revealed that the answer lay within the realm of innovation culture, encompassing the vital elements of autonomy, accountability, and constructive disagreement. However, an unexpected revelation awaited him—a paradigm shift from innovation to a foundational aspect of human interaction: trust. Yoram discovered that the absence of trust within organizations manifested in various forms, impeding the elements that fostered a culture of innovation. This realization propelled Yoram onto a new path of exploration, where he found himself standing at a crossroads, torn between the domains of innovation and trust. Seeking counsel, he turned to his closest friends and family. Despite their overwhelming support for innovation, he resolutely chose to delve into the profound depths of trust. That marked the beginning of his transformation into the trust man, and he embarked on a remarkable journey to unravel the intricate dynamics of trust and its profound impact on entrepreneurship and human collaboration. Becoming a professional speaker Being a professional speaker has become the main focus of Yoram’s life. He only discovered his passion at 50, after working as an executive in the technology sector and running a $100 million business unit at Texas Instruments. Approaching his 50th birthday, he realized he did not want to spend his days idly. Recognizing his love for researching, writing, and speaking, he decided to explore the possibility of turning those interests into a profession. In 2015, he took a leap of faith and left his position as an Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy to start his own business.  How to instill trust within a team Yoram believes trust is relative, non-universal, and varies depending on individual personalities and behaviors. He believes that analyzing the trusting relationships within a team is essential for building trust, and the level of a team's vulnerability gets determined by the least trusted person. Trust can develop over time through better understanding, training, or adjusting personality conflicts. Yoram explains that holding onto someone the team does not trust could compromise the performance of the whole team.  Political correctness High levels of political correctness can lead to a lack of trust because people may not say what they truly mean. Conversely, individuals may hesitate to express their true thoughts and feelings when trust is lacking.  Constructive disagreements Constructive disagreement is significantly higher when there is trust among individuals. Yoram conducted a survey where he asked participants about their perspectives on agreements. He provided options ranging from disagreements being unproductive to passionately disagreeing with someone while remaining friends. The results showed that the positive responses outweighed the negative ones by 71% in contexts where trust was present.  Yoram’s eighth book Yoram’s eighth book is titled Cause of Death: Political Correctness. He co-authored it with Laurie Van, a counselor specializing in non-suicidal self-injury and suicide among teenagers. The book explores how political correctness negatively affects the creativity and productivity of children and is divided into three parts: the impact of political correctness, its manifestations, and consequences; the reasons behind its existence; and a connection between events and the culture of litigation in America.  Yoram’s first TED Talk Yoram’s first TED Talk was titled The Day That Forever Changed America's Culture. In it, he discussed the culture of litigation in the US and its impact on human resources and productivity.  A major problem in current politics Yoram believes that a problem in current politics is how money influences elections. He argues that money buys votes and suggests that one solution would be eliminating money-funded advertisements. Removing such advertisements would reduce the ability of wealthy individuals or corporations to influence politicians by paying for advertising. He feels the current system favors candidates who can afford extensive advertising, leaving many other candidates unheard of. Money spent on political advertisements Yoram proposes the elimination of money spent on political advertisements and political action committees (PACs). He believes that politicians should focus on working hard and engaging with people directly rather than relying on television or other forms of media.  Gun violence Yoram believes that when it comes to gun violence, the real issue lies in the lack of responsibility and the divisive political culture that dehumanizes others. He emphasizes the importance of promoting understanding and unity rather than focusing on labels such as liberal or conservative. Yoram explains how to do a Ted Talk It is essential to select a topic that aligns with your expertise and is relevant and evergreen. Be proactive in finding TED events and organizers, and be one of the first to apply. Do your best to establish personal relationships with organizers to build trust. Once accepted, you must consider the time limit and script your content accordingly because you may find it difficult to condense your ideas into a short timeframe. During the TED Talk, consider both the live audience and the camera. It is essential to engage the live audience and elicit a reaction from them while also keeping the potential audience behind the camera in mind. That will ensure you communicate effectively both in person and through the camera. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Dr. Yoram Soloman On his website    On LinkedIn On Twitter  On Instagram

We are delighted to be speaking with Danet Linares today!  Danet is a powerhouse in the commercial real estate world and an influential leader in championing women's empowerment!  As the Executive Vice-President of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, based in the vibrant state of Florida, Danet brings an impressive track record of 25 years in the industry! Her impact also extends far beyond her professional success. She is President of the International Women’s Forum and has dedicated herself to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women around the globe.  Join us as we dive into Danet's captivating, inspiring, and empowering journey!  Danet’s Bio: Danet Linares is Executive Vice-Chairman of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc., the leading independently-owned commercial real estate firm in Florida, and has more than 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. On behalf of the firm, Ms. Linares leads the leasing of several significant office projects such as MiamiCentral, 1450 Brickell, The Plaza Coral Gables, 396 Alhambra, The Main Las Olas, Royal Palm Office Park, and others. She is an integral part of the Blanca CRE team and has been involved in several of South Florida’s largest real estate transactions, including the Miami Herald’s relocation to Doral, and has served as a real estate advisor to notable companies, including Blockchain.com, Knight Foundation, Miami Foundation, White & Case, Lydecker Diaz, Aterian Investment Partners, Endeavor Miami, and NovoPayment. Since joining the firm, Danet has played a key role in the strategy development and leasing of more than 7 million square feet of office lease transactions throughout South Florida on behalf of owners and users of commercial real estate. Before joining Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Ms. Linares served as Senior Vice-President at Foram Group. She served as Vice-President for Blue Capital, where she led the leasing and marketing strategy for Miami Tower and successfully brought the building from 74% to 97% occupancy within four years. Before that, Ms. Linares held the position of Senior Leasing Manager at Shorenstein, where she managed leasing and marketing for Southeast Financial Center, the tallest office tower in the state of Florida with over 1.2M square feet of office space, and increased the occupancy to 97%. Ms. Linares attended St. John’s University in New York.  She is an active leader in the South Florida community and fluent in Spanish and English. Danet’s story Danet Linares's remarkable journey traces back to her Cuban roots and the courage of her parents, who fled Castro's regime in the late 1960s. Sponsored by Danet's aunt, her parents settled in New York City. Despite the bitter cold of December 1966, they embraced their challenges head-on. Her father tirelessly worked three jobs to support his family, while her mother, with a growing belly, sewed in a nearby clothing factory. Danet inherited her parents' unwavering work ethic, learning from their example right from the beginning. Their resilience and determination shaped the trajectory of her life, instilling in her a deep appreciation for hard work and setting the stage for her future accomplishments. Doing whatever it takes to succeed Danet emphasizes the importance of doing whatever it takes to succeed, even when starting at the bottom. Her journey in commercial real estate began when she found a job as a secretary in downtown Miami's Southeast Financial Centre, the largest office building in the state. With determination and willingness to learn, she seized an opportunity to work exclusively with the leasing agent when a significant portion of the building became available. She obtained her real estate license and devoted herself 24/7 to the job, earning the respect of the brokers’ community and tenants through her integrity, hard work, and expert negotiations. While her focus was on achieving results rather than seeking credit, starting from a lower position enabled her to gain a comprehensive understanding of building management and the intricacies that shape lease negotiations. This knowledge empowered her to make informed decisions for the benefit of both the landlord and the tenants, earning her a reputation as a trusted and capable professional. Mentorship Danet had the privilege of being mentored by a leasing director who recognized the underrepresentation of women in commercial real estate. He encouraged her to identify inspiring figures in the field, leading her to admire Tere Blanca. Danet now works alongside Tere as her partner at Blanca Commercial Real Estate, marking a fulfilling full-circle moment.  Blanca Commercial Real Estate Blanca Commercial Real Estate is proudly women/minority-owned and stands as the foremost independently owned commercial real estate company in Florida. Competing with global brands, they have consistently secured over 30% market share for the past six to seven years, solidifying their position as a formidable presence in South Florida. The International Women's Forum The International Women's Forum (IWF) is a prestigious and exclusive network organization comprising over 7,500 exceptional women leaders from 33 countries and 74 local forums. It was established to create a space where women could support and inspire each other's successes. Founded in 1974 in New York, the organization was born out of the need for a platform that provided professional and personal support to women breaking glass ceilings and achieving significant milestones. It has a diverse membership, including Presidents, Prime Ministers, astronauts, philosophers, and professionals from various industries worldwide. The IWF believes that diversity is its strength in all aspects, fostering a sense of unity among its members and enabling them to thrive collectively. The pandemic opened the floodgates in South Florida The floodgates opened in South Florida during the pandemic as people's perspectives and behaviors shifted. Initially, there were concerns about the worldwide impact of the lockdown and the transition to remote work. However, the situation led many executives and professionals to realize they owned vacation or winter homes in South Florida. They started migrating to the region, knowing that they could work from anywhere as long as they had a stable Internet connection and access to communication tools like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.  South Florida is experiencing significant growth South Florida is experiencing significant growth and remains an attractive market, despite the ongoing trend of working remotely. Many corporations in the South Florida region have downsized their office spaces, leading to available vacancies, which have been absorbed quickly by numerous new companies entering the market. High-quality office spaces, particularly Class A properties, have an impressively low vacancy rate of less than 10%.  South Florida has the advantage of being positioned as a direct connection to Latin America, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.  The advice Danet would give to her younger self: Be proactive in seeking opportunities because they can lead to career advancement.  Work hard and maintain your integrity to build trust with others. Be honest and transparent because people like to work with those they can trust.  Never give up and follow your gut instincts.  Be nimble and be ready to change course when necessary.  Do not get stuck in your ways.  Maintain a positive attitude. Always be willing to take on new challenges and find solutions. The uncertain future of commercial real estate Changing interest rates have led to some uncertainty regarding the future of commercial real estate. Despite those concerns, Danet is optimistic and believes the situation may not become as dire as some anticipate. She advises people to make the most of the situation until 2025 because credit markets may improve significantly by then and banks prefer finding solutions to make things work instead of repossessing buildings. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Danet Linares On LinkedIn  Blanca Commercial Real Estate International Women’s Forum Books mentioned: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg

The Business of Meetings – Episode 169 – Are You Ready for AI? With Jim Spellos Today, we have the great pleasure of speaking with an old industry friend and true industry luminary, Jim Spellos! Jim is the President of Meeting U. He holds a wealth of knowledge, matched only by his captivating personality, that can guide individuals and companies in navigating and harnessing the power of technology. He joins us to share his insights and expertise, dispel fears, and equip listeners with the confidence to apply technology effectively.  Meeting U is a company dedicated to demystifying technology and empowering its users. In today’s exclusive interview, we embark on an insightful journey of exploring the intricacies of AI technology. We discuss its seamless integration into our lives and touch on the age-old question of whether we should fear its advancement. Jim also shares the inspiring story of his journey to good health.  Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation as we dive into the world of tech and beyond with the extraordinary Jim Spellos!  Jim’s story Jim stumbled into the hospitality industry by chance, just like many others. After college, he worked at a physics organization, doing basic copy editing tasks under the guidance of his boss, a brilliant man who had worked on the Manhattan Project and held the esteemed position of Dean of Nuclear Physics at Columbia University. It was there that Jim's journey took an unexpected turn. About a year into his job, his boss offered him the responsibility of handling meetings, assuring him that it was a straightforward task. Little did Jim know that his next assignment would be overseeing a gathering of 1,500 people in New York. Determined to rise to the challenge, Jim embraced the opportunity with gusto, marking the beginning of his 20-year-long career in the meeting industry. Simultaneously, his boss introduced him to a new technology—an IBM PC, the only one in the organization. Intrigued, Jim began exploring the possibilities and taught himself database management. That marked the beginning of his second career as he transitioned into teaching and became a go-to expert in the industry. Over the years, Jim's passion for technology and teaching led him to join NYU as an instructor specializing in event technology. By the late 1990s, he realized that teaching technology could be his calling. In 1999, he embarked on a journey that continues to this day.  Things were different back in the 1980s During the 1980s, the landscape of events and meetings was distinctively different. While there were occasional events that required Secret Service involvement, such as gatherings with Nobel laureates, most of the meetings were comprised of everyday individuals. What should we be thinking about AI technology? We need to embrace technology as a tool that can be used for both positive and negative purposes. Technology, including AI, is neither inherently good nor bad because its use and application determine its impact. On the positive side, technology has advanced medical research and scientific understanding, allowing for the processing and utilization of vast amounts of information. However, it also has the potential to influence people's beliefs and narratives.  Job security Some jobs may be lost, and some gained, as technology evolves. AI, like ChatGPT, is a tool that can process information quickly and engage in conversations, which can blur the line between human and AI interaction.  The impact of AI on the industry The hotel and large business sectors already understand the power of AI for analyzing customer data and improving decision-making. However, the future influence of AI on the meeting industry is still uncertain.  Looking ahead In the future, organizations will utilize compartmentalized AI to scrape and combine information to create personalized content. However, it will be essential to address any biases in AI systems.  AI as a complement to human intelligence AI should be seen as a complement to human intelligence because it allows the generation of nuanced and valuable insights when used together with human input. Productivity for business owners Jim realizes the potential of AI for business owners but acknowledges its imperfections. He explains that AI, like ChatGPT, is generative and does not access the internet for information. It operates on what it has learned from a specific dataset and predicts the next word based on context and the question asked without having comprehensive knowledge. So, to utilize AI effectively, it is crucial to ask the right questions and not expect AI to possess all-encompassing knowledge. Coding There is currently a shortage of coders. Jim focuses on teaching people to use low-code tools that allow them to build apps without extensive coding knowledge. However, those tools will not eliminate the need for coders because quality control, nuanced tasks, and proper integration still require coding expertise.  A most exciting time Jim is enthusiastic about the current tech landscape and considers this time the most exciting time for consumers since the emergence of search engines 25 to 30 years ago! A challenge for business owners It is challenging for business owners to scale their organizations when involved in day-to-day tasks. That is why they should focus instead on raising capital, understanding marketing and sales, and finding the right people to handle those areas. Jim believes management issues are not only technology-related but also a constant challenge across generations. Business owners need a good understanding of technology and its potential to guide their teams in utilizing it effectively. It is also crucial for them to provide the necessary resources, whether internal or external, for their teams to learn and implement new technologies.  A delicate balance A delicate balance is required for business owners to allow their teams space while staying involved enough to provide guidance and direction based on their knowledge. Jim encourages business owners to be aware and informed about technology but avoid excessive micromanagement. Certificates Jim holds a certificate from Cornell that does not directly relate to meetings and events. He recognizes the challenges of obtaining certificates and diplomas and acknowledges their value.  Jim’s health journey Jim experienced health issues that involved battling heart disease and struggling with excess weight over the past seven years. Through extensive research and scientific findings, he discovered the immense benefits of embracing a plant-based lifestyle that includes more than just dietary choices. It also involves stress reduction, sufficient sleep, and a holistic approach to well-being.  Engaging with the plant-based community Jim engages actively in the plant-based community. He collaborates with organizations and delivers presentations on his own transformative experience. He is particularly excited about the Jewish Veg Jumpstarters, where he guides participants through a 21-day program focusing on the health advantages of a plant-based lifestyle and its impact on society and the environment. Jim and his team provide the participants with essential resources, scientific evidence, and mentorship, empowering them to adopt positive changes and incorporate them into their lives according to their preferences. Jim’s passion for promoting healthy lifestyles While Jim thoroughly enjoys teaching technology, he is also passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and educating others on the importance of proper nutrition. Inspired by his personal journey, he has merged his tech expertise with health information to create an app that features 400 plant-based recipes. The importance of pursuing passions  Jim firmly believes in the significance of pursuing passions and embracing diverse interests. Rather than limiting oneself to a single endeavor, he advocates for integrating various aspects of life to cultivate a fulfilling and enriching existence. Whether it involves teaching technology, advocating for healthy living, or exploring other areas of interest, Jim remains dedicated to making a positive impact and empowering others to lead healthier and happier lives! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Jim Spellos On his website On LinkedIn On Facebook On Twitter  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 168 – 18 Summers - Leveraging Family Board Meeting with Jamie and Jim Sheils We are excited to speak with Jamie and Jim Shiels today! They are the Founders of 18 Summers and The Family Board Meeting.  Jamie and Jim work together and they are amazing entrepreneurs! They join us to share their wisdom and talk about life, family, priorities, business, entrepreneurship, and the concept they came up with called 18 Summers. They also dive into how we must enjoy our relationships with our children because they will leave home after just 18 summers!  About Jim & Jamie Sheils Boy meets girl. That’s always the simple story in movies. In real life, it’s a lot more complicated. When 18 Summers founders Jim and Jamie Sheils first met, they faced a whole new challenge. Suddenly, they were a blended family, with the challenges of disconnection and time scarcity that all families face. It was Family Board Meetings that bridged the gap, helping a new family connect, and helping the kids find sure footing on uncertain ground. Now, through 18 Summers, Jim and Jamie reach families and organizations around the world, helping them discover the benefits of quality time and enduring relationships. About Jamie Sheils Co-Founder, 18 Summers Jamie Sheils founded Florida’s only Waldorf-inspired public charter school and directed a Public Montessori Charter School. She has also developed and implemented programs in several other public and private schools. She is the grateful ringleader of four beautiful children ranging in age from toddler to teen. Along with her husband, Jim Sheils, entrepreneur and author of The Family Board Meeting, she founded the 18 Summers movement. About Jim Sheils Co-Founder, 18 Summers When YPO, EO, Harvard University, and other world-class organizations want to help their people succeed at home, they call on Jim Sheils. There’s a reason people call him “Crazy Glue for Families.” In keynote presentations, workshops, team events, and private consulting, Jim has helped hundreds of top entrepreneurs and thought leaders around the world focus and implement where it really counts - at home. Different backgrounds Jamie and Jim came from different backgrounds. Jim was in real estate and business, and Jamie was in education. Jamie had two boys and had full custody of them after leaving a negative relationship. When Jim came into their lives, they all had trust issues. Fortunately, Jim's love and adoration for the boys helped to bring everyone together as a blended family. As they navigated their relationships, Jim's entrepreneurship and Jamie's education came together to create the framework for The Family Board Meeting. The Family Board Meeting The Family Board Meeting is a framework developed by Jim and Jamie for their blended family, inspired by the quarterly board meetings of entrepreneurial companies. It started as gym coupons that the boys could cash in for a day with Jim every 90 days, and it helped strengthen their relationships. They wrote a book about it, which gained a grassroots following and has impacted at least 300,000 families. They hope to reach 2 million families with their concept of one-on-one time to deepen and strengthen family relationships. The Dinnertime Challenge The average dinnertime in the US has drastically decreased from 90 minutes in the past to just under 12 minutes in 2017. To combat this, Jamie and Jim created “the dinnertime challenge" during the pandemic, where electronics and media get turned off for an hour during dinnertime, allowing for decompression and better communication among family members. Jamie and Jim's family also include the daily practice of sharing their best and weirdest fun and freaky moments at dinnertime to strengthen their relationships. Make the most of the time you have with your children A study shows that parents typically spend most of their time with their children during the first 18 years, after which their children become more independent. Parents should create memorable experiences with their children, such as quarterly one-on-one days without electronic devices. The goal is to create guideposts for the relationships and prevent time from passing by too quickly without meaningful interactions. Healing ourselves and our relationships Healing ourselves and our relationships with our children can positively affect future generations. There is value in being intentional and present in our interactions with our children and creating consistent rhythms and experiences they can rely on. The goal is to create a lasting habit of prioritizing quality time and one-on-one interactions. That habit can get passed down through generations to ensure deep and lasting relationships between parents and children. The focus of The Family Board Meeting The Family Board Meeting focuses on spending quality one-on-one time with each child every quarter. There are three rules: One-on-one time, no electronics, and the child plans the day. The family board meeting is an opportunity for family members to give one another sincere compliments and apologies, which helps to strengthen their relationships.  Working together as a couple Their family has three main buckets: The family enterprise led by Jamie, the real estate enterprise led by Jim, and the 18 Summers enterprise they run together. Jamie and Jim try to communicate and understand their roles and responsibilities in each bucket in order to work effectively. Playing into each other’s strengths Jamie believes it is important for couples to play to each other's strengths in a relationship. She and Jim communicate well. By understanding one another's strengths and weaknesses, they support each other better and both achieve what they want. Date night For Jamie and Jim, date nights are an ongoing process that they constantly work at improving. They do not allow phones on date nights and may not talk about the children or their work. They have also started doing date nights with relationship-building question workshops for couples and organizations. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Jamie and Jim Shiels On their website Get a copy of Jamie and Jim’s book: The Family Board Meeting: You Have 18 Summers to Create Lasting Connection with Your Children    

We are delighted to have a rockstar in the speaking industry joining us today!  Joel Block was a professional blackjack player and card counter before embarking on a career in auditing and consulting for VCs, private equities, and real estate. Now, he speaks about what it takes to become an advantaged player.  Joel is a genius when it comes to explaining how the economy works! He joins us to share his unique journey and tell some fascinating stories about things that happened along the way! Bio: Former professional blackjack player and card counter, Joel was a member of one of the most elite teams in the game during the 1980s. Playing solo and with the team, he took money out of casinos before leaving Las Vegas for that giant Casino on Wall Street, where he spent the rest of his career in venture capital and Hedge funds. Joel has been a party to more than a billion dollars in transactions, and what he learned during those years about playing at the top of his game and securing a competitive advantage will fascinate your audience – enabling them to think, see, and act differently so they can know what cards are coming next in business and life. Kicked out of a casino Joel was once part of a team playing at a casino, but he got kicked out! He was afraid because he thought he might get his knees broken, but the people who asked him to leave were professional and just escorted him out. He was also worried because his teammates disappeared when he was told to leave. Fortunately, they eventually met up with him at a predetermined meeting spot. An important business lesson  Joel admits he brought trouble on himself by being too flamboyant and not following the rules while playing blackjack. He learned an important business lesson from the experience; rules exist for our protection and should be followed. He believes that the blackjack experience guides his approach to business and life because playing at the top of one's game in anything requires understanding what it means to do so. Advantage play Joel explains that the trick when using advantage play is to remain inconspicuous and not draw attention to oneself. However, he let his guard down and became too enthusiastic, which caught the attention of the casino staff. Using memory tricks for card counting Joel read a book in high school called The Memory Book, by Harry Lorayne, a memory expert. The book helped him do better in school by teaching him tricks to improve his memory. He learned to memorize decks of cards and later attended a blackjack seminar with his dad. He impressed the seminar instructor by counting a deck of cards in 18 seconds and was taken under his wing to become a professional gambler. He joined a team led by Jerry Patterson and became very good at blackjack.  How Joel’s card counting days ended Joel played poker for a few years and had a great time. He used to go to Las Vegas on weekends during college and got into playing blackjack. He became very good at counting cards, and a mentor taught him more advanced techniques. He was invited to join a team of gamblers led by Jerry Patterson. He eventually realized that he was hanging around people who did not care about his education and were using him to make money. He had a moment of self-awareness and decided to stop playing blackjack. He has not played much since then because he fears that he would get too addicted to it again. He has, however, helped others play by advising them on how to bet and which moves to make. Working for a big accounting firm Joel worked at one of the big accounting firms, Price Waterhouse, and had an assignment counting ballots for the Academy Awards. He explains that the secrecy of the process gets maintained by breaking the job into many little parts, with only a few people at the top who put the puzzle together and understand what will happen. The real estate syndication business Joel left Price Waterhouse to start his own real estate syndication business and later a venture capital operation and publishing company that was sold to a Fortune 500 company. He retired from his hedge fund and now shares what he learned with other executives because few truly understand the money business.  Teaching leaders how to be advantage players Money is a complicated business, and even with a background in venture capital and hedge funds, Joel still struggled to explain it to meeting planners and professionals. He hired a consultant who asked him to list 100 extraordinary things he had done in his career. One of the items on the list was his ability to take money out of a casino. The consultant saw that as a unique skill for Joel to use as a metaphor for teaching business principles. Joel now teaches leaders how to be advantage players using blackjack as a metaphor, helping them become more aware and better at predicting outcomes in business.  Asking the right questions While it is impossible to predict some events, many things can be predicted and prepared for in order to make real money. Asking the right questions, understanding situational awareness, and analyzing industry trends can help companies make informed decisions and place their bets strategically. Joel produces an annual Trend Report to help clients better understand how Wall Street works and how to apply predictive logic to their business decisions. Strategic retreats  Joel leads strategic retreats for senior executives and boards of directors, where he asks good questions to help them come up with breakthroughs. He emphasizes the importance of thinking, seeing, and acting differently to gain an advantage in business, and has started an Advantage Player Institute to teach people these techniques. The strategies he teaches are legal and smart but require out-maneuvering competitors aggressively and ambitiously. What is going on with the economy The market is in turmoil, and in times like this, cash is king! People with cash have an advantage as they can make the most of opportunities when others struggle. Prices have risen due to supply chain disruptions, but this is not necessarily inflation. The whole economy has reset to a new level, and the Feds are using a tactic that may be ineffective in addressing the current situation. Economists are not scientists, and the economy is a behavioral art form, making it difficult to predict. Cash is becoming obsolete Joel is concerned that the United States dollar has lost its value as countries like Saudi Arabia, France, Russia, and China are moving away from using it as their primary currency. He believes the US needs to get ahead in the cryptocurrency markets to stay competitive. He predicts that the US will move toward an electronic system within the next ten years, as cash is becoming obsolete.   Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website   Connect with Joel Block On his website On LinkedIn   Book mentioned: The Memory Book, by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas

We are delighted to speak with Danica Tormohlen today! Danica is a journalist and the VP of Content for the Tarsus Group (now part of Informa).  Danica is an icon in our industry with tons of experience! She has been through many crises in the trade show industry and has been writing about it since 1994. She joins us today to discuss her fascinating career and to share her unique perspective on where the exhibition industry is heading and how we can better use technology. Bio: An award-winning journalist who has reported on the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Content for Tarsus Group, which was recently acquired by Informa for $940 million. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, and Exhibitor News Network. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, videos, podcasts, and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, and exhibition industries. Tormohlen is proud to be a founding member of the Women In Exhibitions Network (WIEN) North America chapter and was appointed to serve on its executive committee in March 2023. The mission at WIEN is to empower women in the exhibition industry while helping to nurture the next generation of female leaders. She served as Co-Chair of the Education & Events Committee for the North American Chapter in 2021, hosting and producing monthly Zoom meetings with guest speakers, games, breakouts, Q&As, and more during Covid. Danica’s journey Danica is proud to have been educated at the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. In 1994, she began writing for Expo Magazine and immediately fell in love with the trade show industry, which, for her, is very much like a magazine come to life! She loves how it has allowed her to learn about different industries and keep up with emerging trends! Danica worked for some great people Danica was fortunate to have worked for some great people. She worked for Donna Sanford, the Founder of Expo Magazine, for seventeen years and then went to work for Trade Show Executive for the next ten years.  Changes Danica has seen in the trade show industry Danica has seen the trade show industry experience many changes, including recessions, 9/11, COVID, and the digital revolution. What struck her the most was how resilient the industry is and how much people wanted to get back together with others, face to face. She also believes the ability to use digital tools and data in conjunction with an in-person experience has changed the industry. Trends in the trade show industry The trade show industry is driven mainly by products and people wanting to meet with others to do business. The trends Danica has been noticing include the use of technology, flexibility around meetings, and how people have been personalizing and customizing meetings and events to suit their needs.  People are spending less time in the digital space People have been investing less time in the digital space since the return of in-person events. Danica has seen virtual trade show platforms where people can have an avatar walking through a virtual trade show floor and stopping at booths. But nobody seems to want to do that because the experience is not particularly interactive.  E-commerce discovery Danica has seen some e-commerce sites doing well lately because people have been doing some discovery first. That means people are looking at and selecting products on the e-commerce websites before meeting with vendors on-site at events to close the deals. Using data to do better business at events In the past, obtaining data was cost-prohibitive for many events. Fortunately, the cost of technology is coming down. So people are now using their phones to track where attendees are at events and do sentiment analysis to help them improve their exhibits and make better business decisions. Verify the source of online content It is scary to know that some online content is manipulated or fake. To ensure the content you are using is real, fair, and relevant, consider whether or not the source is reputable and trustworthy. If you have any doubts, verify the source.  Women in Exhibitions Network Danica is a co-founder of the Women in Exhibitions Network. The network is to empower and support women in the exhibition industry and increase their networks. The Women in Exhibitions Network is inclusive, so any woman in the industry can become part of it. The members meet online and in person to talk to one another. They are launching their first in-person global summit in June this year in the Netherlands. Exhibitor News Network Danica's latest project, the Exhibitor News Network, launched recently. It is a media platform for exhibit managers and event marketers. It has a website for sharing daily industry news, educating exhibitors, and helping them do their jobs better. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Danica Tormohlen On LinkedIn On Twitter Tarsus Group Women in Exhibitions Network Exhibitor News Network Books mentioned: Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday

The Business of Meetings – Episode 165 - The Science Behind Mental Health with Dr. Romie Mushtaq We have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Romie Mushtaq today!  Dr. Romie is a true expert and thought leader in mental health, wellness, and mindfulness! She has done and achieved many things over the last two decades and knows our industry well! She joins us today to share her knowledge and explain what leaders should be doing for their mental health and the well-being of their teams. Bio Dr. Romie is a board-certified physician, award-winning wellness speaker, and the founder of “brainSHIFT at Work.” She brings together over 20 years of authority in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness to not just deliver programs, but create cultural change. She is on a mission to transform mental health and wellness in the workplace and currently works with Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, & global associations. Dr. Romie is also the Chief Wellness Officer for Evolution Hospitality, where she scaled a mindfulness & wellness program to over 7000 employees. Her expertise is featured in the national media such as NPR, NBC, TEDx talks, and Forbes. Find the cure for your busy brain at drromie.com or @drromie on social media. About Dr. Romie and her company, the brainSHIFT Institute Dr. Romie is a triple board-certified physician in neurology and integrative medicine, so she combines Eastern and Western medicine. She is also Chief Wellness Officer at Evolution Hospitality and knows the events industry well. The brainSHIFT Institute brings mental health programs to corporate America. People contact them because they know Dr. Romie has taken care of the well-being of employees in the workplace, and they want to know how to do that for themselves and their teams. Dr. Romie’s journey Dr. Romie is the daughter of South Asian immigrant parents. She was born and raised in the United States, and from the time she was born until she turned eighteen, her father always insisted she became a doctor. Her parents were STEMinists and raised her to be one too. When she entered the world of neurology, less than five percent of American brain doctors were women. In addition to seeing patients, she was also doing cutting-edge research. Although she loved her job, she suffered between 2008 and 2009 because she felt alone. Her patients noticed her suffering, but none of her colleagues did. She got so sick from all the stress that she had to have life-saving surgery in 2010. On her journey to healing after the surgery, she found her path to mindfulness and integrative medicine. Between working with healers around the world, returning, and getting board-certified in integrative medicine, she realized that American employees are being killed by the workload and all the stress. So she embarked on a mission to stop corporate America from hurting the brains of its employees. She did a TEDx Talk in 2018, and it went viral. Then the pandemic happened, and the mental health crisis that the experts already knew existed became publicly known, and people began to talk about it.  Dr. Romie got to where she is today because she does not want anyone else to feel alone and suffer without help. Breaking the stress-success cycle The mentality of professionals in the meetings and events industry, thinking they are only as good as their last event, must change because it is a recipe for disaster for their brains and can lead to burnout. Dr. Romie breaks it down into brain science and calls it the stress-success cycle. She points out that there is a way for event professionals to stop chasing a success high, keep an even keel in their brain, and allow that to translate to their business. Some symptoms of the stress-success cycle Waking up with no energy. Needing caffeine to get going in the morning and keep going throughout the day. Having a constantly-multiplying to-do list, yet being unable to focus. (Adult-onset ADD) Feeling anxious. Disturbed sleep. (Known as a busy brain) Not being able to take work out of your brain. Needing to use alcohol or supplements to take the edge off. Needing to take a sedative at night to calm down. A better way to function There is a better way to function. Events professionals can be successful in their business and with clients- even with a busy brain. The first step is to become aware that you are in a stress-success cycle and have a busy brain. (Take Dr. Romie’s free online test to assess your stress level.) Sleep Research has shown that sleep is the foundational requirement for resetting a busy brain. So getting enough sleep is essential for professionals who want to be successful. In the brainSHIFT protocol, they say that sleep is the new status symbol of successful professionals. Chasing the dopamine-adrenalin high Some event professionals continue to do event planning because they are chasing the rush of the dopamine-adrenalin high that comes when an event has gone well. But constantly seeking that high is unhealthy for the brain because it can damage the HPA access and deplete the cortisol and adrenalin coming from the adrenal glands.  Finding balance To find balance, you must create micro-habits or make small brain shifts to maintain sustained dopamine and adrenalin levels. That will allow you to wake up each morning feeling energized without needing a crisis to fuel you. To get a natural dopamine high each morning, you must get more than four hours- preferably six to nine hours of sleep every night.  Easy actions to take at night Modern-day lifestyles do not give most of us the luxury of having mindful morning routines. So, at brainSHIFT, they have designed some mindfulness meditation exercises for busy brains that are to be done at night after digital devices have been put away. Dr. Romie’s morning rule Dr. Romie has found one morning rule particularly effective for her clients: They must give her thirty minutes before they pick up their phones, look at their calendars, read emails, or engage with social media. Instilling corporate mindfulness BrainSHIFT has developed an entire framework called Building a Culture of Wellness to assist leaders in putting their people first and caring for the mental health of their teams. Toxic leaders When a leader is toxic, it usually means they have something toxic and unprocessed in their life. As a consultant, Dr. Romie believes her job is to show toxic leaders compassion. In the leadership talk at brainSHIFT, they engage all levels of leadership within organizations to teach them how to brain-shift for their entire team. Health advice for women entrepreneurs and their teams Dr. Romie advises women entrepreneurs to prioritize sleep and have their thyroid panels and hormones checked annually. The best thing women leaders can do for their teams is to leave them alone from 9 pm to 7 am. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Dr. Romie Mushtaq On her website On LinkedIn Dr. Romie’s book, The Busy Brain Cure

The Business of Meetings – Episode 164 - The Cancel Culture Curse with Evan Nierman Today we have the great pleasure of speaking with Evan Nierman, the Founder, and CEO of Red Banyan, a well-known specialist crisis management, and PR firm!  Evan has recently published an important book called The Cancel Culture Curse: From Rage to Redemption in a World Gone Mad. He joins us today to tell his story and talk about his book. Bio: Evan Nierman is the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, an international crisis management, and public relations firm. He and his team have provided counsel to thousands of clients across the world, including scores who have been the targets of cancel culture attacks. Evan’s writings on issues related to communications and marketing are featured in a range of leading outlets. He speaks at various conferences and universities around the world and is often called upon by the media to provide insight and analysis.  Evan’s Journey Evan grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoyed growing up there but could not wait to leave Louisiana, so he went to George Washington University in Washington DC. In DC, he got to do an internship while being a student. One of the organizations where he interned became his first job. He left the organization seven-and-a-half years later to work in high-stakes crisis PR for a small firm that did interesting work for some high-profile clients. He was unhappy there because he did not like the firm’s values and decided that one day he would have a firm like that one and do things differently. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Evan spent a year-and-a-half working in-house at a startup, which moved him to South Florida. Working for the startup, he learned about interacting with investors, raising money, and the challenges of exponential growth. He then left to start an enterprise of his own. He set out to build what he was looking for and create the culture he would like to have had when looking for a job. He wanted to do work that would empower people and improve the lives of his clients. Now, almost twelve years in at Red Banyan, he feels he is right where he should be and is happy with the work they're doing!  Social media Evan tries to be active on social media to let people know what is going on with Red Banyan. Crisis Averted In his book Crisis Averted, Evan spoke about pressing the truth. That means you must put your message out there and advocate for yourself. Because if you fail to do so, someone else will! Red Banyan is expanding Evan is pressing the truth about the expansion Red Banyan is going through right now. They currently have people in locations across the United States and 30 full-time team members, coast-to-coast. They are also getting an increasing number of clients from across the world. The Cancel Culture Curse Evan is patriotic and believes that America is the land of opportunity. Writing The Cancel Culture Curse was the labor of his love for democracy and America. He thinks America is off-track and believes we can and must do better. He and his co-author, Mark Sachs, wrote The Cancel Culture Curse to define cancel culture, help people better understand what it is and the devastating impact it has on people’s lives, and help small business owners prepare their organizations for dealing with potential cancel culture attacks or how to avoid them entirely. The elements of cancel culture Evan identified six key elements to cancel culture. He based the elements he identified on previous research by sociologists and academics and also added some of his own. (Most of the earlier research focused on political witch hunts.) The six key elements of cancel culture The perceived crime the targeted person committed against the collective It arises very quickly.  The nature of the offense is usually minor, or it gets fabricated. There is a disproportionate response. Everyone is afraid to defend the accused. The moral absolutism of those doing the condemning. How to survive cancel culture The first thing you must do is refuse to get canceled. Then, don’t apologize unless you are clear about what you are apologizing for and to whom you are apologizing. (Because in a cancel culture world, no mistakes are allowed. So you will not be forgiven, and your apology will become the rope on which they hang you.)  The media The mainstream media is essential for making cancel culture all-powerful because it jumps onto manufactured scandals, amplifies them, and helps spread them. Teaching our children Children should be taught the difference between journalism and sensationalism. They must learn to review online content critically and be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills. Why it is so difficult to cancel politicians Most people assume the worst about politicians and believe political leaders are unlikeable, self-interested, corrupt liars who will do anything to hold onto their power and advance their careers. So when they say stupid, objectionable, or distasteful things, people tend to accept them. Additionally, politicians refuse to be canceled. Evan's deepest wish for the future Evan hopes that his book, The Cancel Culture Curse, will contribute to moving America back to when people could disagree politically, remain friends, and be happy to be surrounded by others with different beliefs. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Evan Nierman On LinkedIn Red Banyan www.cancelculture.com Books Mentioned: The Cancel Culture Curse by Evan Nierman and Mark Sachs The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Trust Me I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday What’s Our Problem by Tim Urban

The Business of Meetings – Episode 163 - The Future of Work with Joe Mechlinski We are delighted to speak with Joe Mechlinski today! Joe Mechlinski is the Founder and CEO of SHIFT, New York Times bestselling author, and a TEDx speaker, who wants to change how we work to transform the way we live. At SHIFT, a tech-enabled management consulting firm nationally recognized as a ‘Best Workplace,’ Joe helps leaders build healthy and high-performing organizations by disrupting outdated norms, building engaged teams, and using technology to unlock human potential. Passionate about equity in the workplace, Joe is a partner at Conscious Venture Partners: a group that invests in minority and female-founded businesses. Joe’s journey Joe grew up in difficult circumstances in the inner city of Baltimore. With the help of some wonderful people who stepped into his life and gave him a hand, he was able to attend Johns Hopkins University, even though he came from an academically-challenged environment. He became an entrepreneur and started some small businesses that did well in the late 1990s. Joe lost his mom after he left college and experienced some personal challenges. At 23, he started SHIFT with a partner who had a lot of experience and began doing management consulting for companies. He used the idea of learning and development to put himself and his partner in situations where they had to figure things out and find a way. He read tons of books, attended conferences, and had some smart mentors to help him think through how to help businesses grow. After twelve years, he wrote a book about all he had learned. It became a New York Times bestseller and the number-one book in the world for three days! Then Joe started working with bigger companies, and his small management consulting company got to work with companies like John Hancock, New Balance, and Crocs at the executive level. That allowed Joe to get involved in a VC firm and start thinking of ways to help others. The best play for organizations The traffic patterns in organizations have changed since the pandemic. Right now, the best play for organizations is to figure out what makes sense for their model based on the labor market for their business and mentor the next generation. Companies should also get creative about building environments where people know they are seen, heard, and understood and feel that their team and the organization have their back. Leadership Leaders must be clear about where they want to go and what is most important to them in order to lead organizations effectively. Employees To retain employees, organizations need to look at the average tenure in their marketplace and try to meet or exceed that with their allocation of capital and available resources. They can also offer incentives. How to rise within an organization Generally, people tend to rise within an organization through learning. Whether it involves consuming content and applying it from a book perspective or learning from platforms like LinkedIn Learning, people should spend between ten and twenty percent of each week investing in themselves, their learning, and their development. TEDx When TEDx came out in 2008, Joe applied immediately and put it behind him. (He has made his audition tape available on YouTube.) Sometime later, he got a call from one of the curators in the DC Chapter looking for someone to speak about the future of work. So he began the process. He would usually ask questions and then listen carefully to the responses from the audience. However, that is not how TEDx works. Their talk process requires speakers to stick to a script. It was hard for him, so he got a speaker coach. Why the TEDx Talk was difficult for Joe Doing the TEDx talk was hard for Joe because he struggled to say everything within fourteen minutes. He was also writing a new book entitled, Who Says, which was not intended to give advice but rather to invite sovereignty, curiosity, and questioning, and the point of it is to explain why we should stop looking for answers from “the sage on the stage”. Joe believes his talk was one of the first TEDx talks that did not give advice. It was ranked the number one talk worldwide in August last year and ranked 40th out of 15,900 TEDx talks globally! It took a lot of work, and Joe is happy it turned out the way it did!  The Tony Hsieh Award Joe volunteers to be part of the Tony Hsieh Award delegation. It is a delegation established to honor the work and legacy of Tony Hsieh, the late Founder, and CEO of Zappos. He is excited to continue being part of that community and to have the opportunity to enlist others to do the same! A platform for leaders and executives Joe has built an AI-driven tech platform to work with leaders and executives to encourage asynchronous communication and to help them get their teams on the same page each week without scheduling more meetings. (Go to www.shiftthework.com/latch) Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Joe Mechlinski SHIFT On LinkedIn Books mentioned: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Reinventing Organizations by Frédéric Laloux Joe’s Books Shift the Work: The Revolutionary Science of Moving From Apathetic to All in Using Your Head, Heart,and Gut   Grow Regardless  

The Business of Meetings – Episode 162 – The Groove Cruise with Jason Beukema Today, we are excited to speak with Jason Beukema, the founder of the Groove Cruise!  Jason started the Groove Cruise almost twenty years ago. He joins us on the show today to tell the fascinating origin story of the Groove Cruise and to share his experiences and insights. Bio: Jason Beukema I own a couple of travel companies focused on creating unforgettable experiences that connect communities to their passions in unique & exciting ways. Under the Whet Travel umbrella, we specialize in chartering cruise ships for large-scale music and themed experiences (2000-4000 people) on major cruise lines such as Norwegian, Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC & Celebrity.  Whet Travel received the prestigious charter partner of the year award from Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival has been on the Inc 500 list twice and has been featured in media such as USA Today, NY Times, Travel Channel, MTV, NBC, WSJ, Billboard, and Forbes.  Groove Cruise is the World's Premiere Electronic Music Cruise & the only music charter that sails yearly from both coasts. Salsa Cruise is A Ship Full of Pura Salsa. MotorBoat, the Loudest Boat in the World, Inception Cruise, the World's first Spring Break Charter, & Zen Cruise is a Transformational Journey at Sea focused on yoga, health, and wellness. Cruise Event GPS specializes in corporate events & incentives on cruise ships.  Whet Foundation is a 501c3 that offers exciting experiences & programs to deserving children in South FL & the Caribbean through our Community Captains & Destination Donation programs. I'm the youngest person to single-handedly charter a cruise ship, we have executed 27 full ships to date & send up to 15,000 people on cruises each year.  I coined the concept of ‘Celebration Marketing’. I have been a featured speaker at several events, such as SXSW, Canadian Music Week & Cruise360. I created the Mentorship program for the Entrepreneur Organization as well as the Tourism + Hospitality & Emerging Leadership Councils at the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.  I currently live in Miami and have lived across the US, Australia, Bali, and Ecuador. I am from and went to college in MI (CMU Fire up Chips). I've also been to 50 states, 68 countries, and have sailed on 149 cruises. Jason’s journey After graduating pre-med at Central Michigan University, Jason realized he did not want to join the medical industry. He decided to become an entrepreneur instead, to make enough money to help others. Unfortunately, his business failed, and he got into debt. So he found a job as a sales manager at Georgia Pacific, a big Fortune 100 company, and sold timeshares for Radisson Vacation Villas in his spare time to settle his debt.  Personal Coaching When his boss offered to pay for school, Jason declined and asked if he could hire a FranklinCovey personal coach instead. His boss agreed and during the coaching process, Jason was told to look for something he loved doing and find a way to get paid for doing it.  The travel industry He loved going on vacations, so he signed up for a two-and-a-half-week course at the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco. Following that, he was hired by a couple of tour companies and started doing motor coach tours throughout North America.   How the Groove Cruise began Jason’s friends asked him to put a tour together for them. So in 2004, he joined a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise ship tour, found 125 people join him on board, and called it the Groove Cruise. After the cruise, Jason saw how life-changing the experience had been for everyone! Even though he had no money and knew nobody in the cruise industry when he started the Groove Cruise, he created a business plan to charter a cruise ship within the next five years. It took seven years to charter his first cruise ship, and since then, they have done 28 full ships and have become Norwegian’s and Carnival’s Charter Partner of the Year!  Other experiences Jason offers experiences other than the Groove Cruise. They have had salsa, rock, heavy metal, country music, and yoga cruises. They even have a board game and a dental continuing education cruise coming up! A huge jump Since the Groove Cruise started twenty years ago, they have jumped from having 125 people on board to having 4000 people on each cruise! Transformational cruises Many people have shared feedback to say that they found Groove Cruises transformational. New personal and business relationships have formed on the cruises, and marriages have been saved. After the Orphanage Cruise experience, many were inspired to volunteer once they returned home. The pandemic The pandemic was beyond a nightmare for the cruise industry and the live events space! The cruise industry was the first industry to get shut down, and it stayed that way for the next two years. It was a depressing and very mentally challenging time for Jason. Fortunately, he had his young nieces around to distract him from his problems. The Groove Cruise returned in full-force after the pandemic. Online live cruise sailing events Journaling and thinking of those less fortunate than him helped Jason get out of himself, overcome his depression, and start thinking of ways to help others. He came up with the idea to utilize all his contacts and do online live cruise sailing events called Virtual Sailaways. Doing those events, he raised around $50,000 for people experiencing hardships in his community. Accommodation for events is challenging  Accommodation is always a big challenge for events because the organizers do not want to take on too much risk and do not want to get tied into a contract where they cannot fulfill all the accommodation requirements. Forced relationships No other place offers the kind of relationship-building that happens when people are on a cruise with others from the same company, with a similar lifestyle, or with the same taste in music. You cannot go anywhere on a cruise ship, so forced or serendipitous relationships tend to form, and that’s where all the magic happens! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Jason Beukema On his websites:  http://www.WhetTravel.com   http://www.GrooveCruise.com   https://www.groovecruise.com/miami/whet-foundation  On LinkedIn

The Business of Meetings – Episode 161 – The Fabulous Story of VidCon with Colin Hickey Today we are delighted to speak with a true entrepreneur, Colin Hickey! Colin is the Senior Vice President of Operations for VidCon and Paramount! Colin’s career path has been a poster journey of American entrepreneurship, and VidCon is an amazing convention that brings up to 75,000 people to Anaheim each year! Colin joins us today to share his phenomenal story! Colin’s bio: Colin Hickey started as a music promoter turned entrepreneur and event manager who has made a mark in the industry with his innovative ideas and exceptional management skills. Starting his career as a music promoter in the early 2000s, he quickly made a name for himself and worked with various artists, venues, and performers. In 2009, he co-founded Gatherboard, an event management and promotion platform that aimed to revolutionize how people discover and attend events. Gatherboard is still going strong today and has become a popular choice for event organizers and attendees alike. From 2011-2013, he worked at the Missoula Downtown Association, as the Marketing and Events Director, contributing to revitalizing the downtown area and organizing several successful events. In 2013, he was hired as the first full-time employee at VidCon, one of the world's largest conferences for online video creators and enthusiasts. His expertise and experience were instrumental in making VidCon a massive success and reaching new heights globally. He is currently Senior Vice President of Operations and co-leads the business globally. With his passion for events and entrepreneurship, he continues to make waves in the industry, always striving for new and innovative ways to bring people together and create unforgettable experiences. Colin’s journey After spending half a semester at the University of Wyoming, Colin realized college was not for him. His brothers were heavily into the music scene in Missoula, Montana, and he was a small-time music promoter in Wyoming. A well-known club in Missoula was looking for someone to run it, so Colin moved to Montana in the summer of 2000 to run the club and become a music promoter. He ran the club for three years, became a singer in a band, began booking tours for bands, and started going on tours. That gave him the notion of doing live events. Sometime in 2004 0r 2005, Colin had an idea for people to go online to find out what was happening in the local music scene and then created a website called Gardencityevents.com. It was a hit and was acquired shortly after by an online news company. Colin continued to run websites for events in local and surrounding areas for the news company for the next few years. That was how he met and made friends with Hank Green, the founder of VidCon. VidCon One week before the VidCon convention in July 2013, Colin joined the VidCon team. A few weeks after the show, Hank told Colin they were parting ways with their production company and asked him to run VidCon and build a new team. VidCon kept growing, so they decided to expand internationally. Five years ago, Hank sold the company to Viacom, and they continued running in the same way as before but with more resources. Then Viacom merged with CBS and later rebranded as Paramount. About a year ago, Paramount made Colin a co-leader of the business. VidCon creators The VidCon creators are approachable and relate well to the attendees because many are the same age. Many of the creators also grew up being fans! Security at VidCon The core VidCon fan-track attendee is between twelve and seventeen years old and most of them are female. Fans often get into places they should not be, so VidCon takes the security of the Anaheim Convention Center very seriously. Advice for creators Colin advises new creators to stay true to themselves, be consistent with their content, and to get onto multiple platforms. That will encourage more people to connect and follow them. New platforms As new platforms arise, different kinds of creators surface to join them. The VidCon team likes that because it makes VidCon more diverse. The in-person experience Colin feels that the experience of an in-person event can never be replicated via the metaverse, no matter how life-like the virtual experience may be. Family life It can be difficult for parents to juggle their professional and family lives. Colin feels lucky to have children who are interested in and enjoy what he does. He likes to teach them about the business and tries to get them even more invested in the show. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Colin Hickey On LinkedIn VidCon

The Business of Meetings – Episode 160 – Wonderhell with Laura Gassner Otting We are delighted to be speaking with Laura Gassner Otting today! Laura is an amazing entrepreneur, executive coach, and writer who has helped people in politics and often appeared on TV!  Laura's life is rich and diverse! She joins us to share her story and discuss her new book, Wonderhell. Bio: Laura’s secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back to you so that you can get “unstuck” and achieve extraordinary results.  A frequent contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily, Laura’s 30-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at a respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm, partnering with the full gamut of mission-driven corporate and nonprofit executives.  Laura is turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, motivator, and provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like. Just ask her enduringly patient husband, two almost-grown sons, and two troublesome pups with whom she lives just outside of Boston, MA. Laura’s journey Laura has had a long journey of accidental successes. She did many interesting things with interesting people and many interesting opportunities arose along her path. She dropped out of law school to join the Presidential campaign of an unknown Southern governor who offered a policy solution of community service in exchange for a college education. She ended up in the White House and helped build AmeriCorps. Four years later, she wanted to get onto the campaign trail again but was too old. She took a job with her mentor as a head hunter. After five years, she left, started her own firm, grew it, and sold it fifteen years later to the women who helped her build it. She started blogging and was asked to do TEDx talk. The talk got people’s attention, and she began receiving offers to speak for money. That prompted her to write a book. She is now five years into her speaking career and is about to launch her second book, Wonderhell. Wonderhell Wonderhell is based on the concept of an amusement park that is divided into three sections, Impostor Town, Doubtsville, and Burnout City. Each section contains five “rides” that mimic the emotions people go through along the journey to becoming successful.  Figuring out who you are The first “ride” is figuring out who you are and what you are capable of. Doubt (the trapeze) tends to creep in when you want to try something new, which can be scary. That's why you have to appreciate whatever you did to get you to where you are today because it created a foundation for you to grow and build from, even though it may not get you through the next thing. In other words, you can borrow the confidence you gained in one place and use it in another until you have firmer ground to stand on. The loop de loop  The loop de loop is the ride where you keep going back to the beginning, over and over again. That is where people start self-sabotaging and have to adopt a beginner’s mindset. It is essential to notice when you get bored or complacent, stop caring about outcomes, and are no longer bringing your best to your work. The discomfort of not knowing Laura has never known exactly what she wants to do next, and she thinks that happens to many others, too. She advises anyone leaving a job to spend time sitting with the discomfort of not knowing before starting something new. Success does not make things any easier An idea that emerged in Wonderhell is that we tend to think things will get easier when we attain success. They will not! Things generally get even harder when we become successful. Becoming Everything we do in life helps us continue with the process of evolving and becoming. The idea behind Wonderhell is that when we have one foot in yesterday and the other in tomorrow, it keeps us in the process of becoming. The tunnel of love Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. If you have someone at your level you respect and admire going through the tunnel of love (the process) with you, it will keep you in check and help you avoid settling for mediocracy.  Overcoming impostor syndrome So many capable and successful people still have impostor syndrome when they embark on something they have never done before. Having a mentee or teaching something that comes to you naturally is the best way to get yourself to feel that you know something. It will also build your confidence moving forward. Overcoming impostor syndrome involves renegotiating our emotions around the doors we are walking through. Advice for women applying for positions Twenty years of executive search experience taught Laura that there are no perfect candidates and that anything people bring to the table counts, even if it is not on the list. She advises women to keep their resumes and cover letters current and apply with abandon. Even if they don’t get the jobs, they will gain experience in the interview and job application process.  Make your own luck Being in the space where you put yourself in the deal flow makes you luckier! (There is a chapter in Wonderhell called The Fortune Teller, which is about how you make your own luck.) Mentorship Rather than trying to find mentors, Laura prefers to look for mentoring moments. She is also happy to offer mentoring moments to advise anyone who asks to pick her brain or needs her help to work through something specific.  How Wonderhell came about Laura did not intend to write Wonderhell. It happened after a series of events that began when she wrote a blog post while on a redeye flight home after appearing on the Today Show, where she described the space she was in as Wonderhell.    Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Laura Gassner Otting On her website  On LinkedIn On all social media platforms @heylgo Books mentioned: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Wonderhell is available at www.wonderhell.com, on Amazon, or anywhere fine books are sold.  

Today, Donna Kastner, the founder of Retirepreneur, joins us to share her insight and experience and dive into what you can do if you are over 50, 60, or 70+ years old and still want to contribute to society. Donna is an amazing individual who has had a unique, fascinating, and diverse career in the events industry for many years! She has tons of experience and loves re-inventing herself!  Bio: Donna’s career journey has been described by many as eclectic, starting as a high school band director and continuing through a series of sales, marketing, and start-up endeavors. With a mid-career pivot to the events industry, working for Maritz Global Events and Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, she’s now lasering her focus on a demographic that has much to offer our industry and our world– the age 60+ segment. Donna is the founder of Retirepreneur, where she helps executives make a smooth segue from employment to entrepreneurial endeavors. She’s also a Fellow at The Dayton Foundation, where in partnership with AARP, she’s helping dozens of cities throughout the Midwest to make their communities more age-friendly.   Donna’s journey Donna’s journey has been wild and eclectic. She grew up in the greater New York City area and went to the University of Dayton in the Midwest, where she majored in music and met her husband. During the next fifteen years, she and her husband moved nine times, in and out of five states, where she taught in various school districts before starting a family. A home-based business  Teachers’ salaries were woefully low in the 80s and Donna had to figure out how to make things work financially after the birth of her first child. She started a home-based typesetting business, recruited a half  dozen moms to help out, and made more in a part-time capacity than she earned as a teacher! An eclectic career Donna’s eclectic career started as a high school band director. She was also a magazine editor and even sold real estate during her summer breaks, where she listed and sold the house next door to where John Travolta grew up in Englewood, New Jersey! The events industry After a chance meeting with a friend in her mid-career, doors opened for Donna to move into the events industry. She started working for an organization where she segued through various roles and ultimately became responsible for training across the organization. Why relationships matter Relationships must be maintained and nurtured because you never know when someone may recognize something in you that prompts them to recommend you. Becoming a champion for older adults When she reached her fifties, Donna noticed that people were leaning into working with the younger generations, and those in their fifties were not getting much attention. She decided to leave her job in 2008 to pursue her Retirepreneur idea. It was a tricky venture and there was a lot of financial turbulence at the time, so she was fortunate to have her husband’s full support.  Needing stronger filters The mistakes Donna made along the way mostly centered around agreeing to the wrong things to create more cash flow. She subsequently learned she needed stronger filters to check the opportunities presented to her. Modern elders Donna focuses her consulting side on work that aligns with age-friendly initiatives because she believes that today’s elders have much to offer. New roles should be created because people are living longer now, and sixty-something looks different from how it looked for previous generations.   Retirepreneur Retirepreneur started with assistance and workshops for people getting laid off, possibly due to age. Donna initially spent all her time speaking about it, writing about it, and taking on side gigs that did not align with it to keep it going. She now seeks out clients in the later stages of their careers and helps them develop skills and do whatever else they need to do to remain relevant and valuable. The silver tsunami Donna points out that by 2034, for the first time in history, there will be more people aged 65 and older than those aged 18 and younger. She used to focus on income, jobs, and starting businesses but now focuses on a fellowship with The Dayton Foundation, where she supports communities and works to improve health care, transportation, and housing. She also works with AARP on a program for age-friendly, livable communities.  Silver is Gold Last year, Donna was involved in another fellowship through the Dayton Foundation, Silver is Gold, to help connect organizations struggling to find talent with a pool of recently-retired executives. Two phases of life There are two phases of life when people move into their sixties. Late adulthood is when people in their sixties and seventies feel too young to be done and still want to contribute, and there is old age. Some people keep on getting older but never reach old age! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Donna Kastner On Website On LinkedIn Email [email protected]

The Business of Meetings – Episode 158 – Intentional Growth with Ryan Tansom The Business of Meetings – Episode 158 – Intentional Growth with Ryan Tansom Today, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Ryan Tansom, the Co-founder of Arkona!  Ryan knows a lot about acquisition entrepreneurship! He joins us to share his insight along with a wealth of experience building and selling businesses. He dives into how to create value, different types of exits, and everything else you need to know when planning to sell a business. Bio Ryan Tansom started his entrepreneurial career at his family business where he was the executive vice -president and responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial strategy of a $21 million company. Ryan helped turn the company around and bring intentional focus to the right strategies, which enabled it to be sold for eight figures to a local competitor in 2014. Ryan took his experience and founded Arkona to create the Intentional Growth Framework, which helps owners grow the value of their company with the end in mind, through educational training, fractional CFO services, and strategic planning. Ryan is a passionate, energetic, and highly-skilled communicator who loves his work and the message he delivers. Both of the keynote presentations he frequently delivers are near and dear to his heart because they tell the story and solutions to the challenges he had when he was running his family business. Since founding Arkona, he has been able to teach other entrepreneurs and business owners what he wishes he had known before they sold their company, which was how to clarify a path to a more valuable business with an end in mind. He wants business owners to turn their visions into reality. Ryan also hosts the popular Intentional Growth Podcast, which has 280+ episodes and 380k+ downloads, with Todd Herman, Bo Burlingham, Jack Stack, Gino Wickman, John Warrillow, Dan Martell, and Alan Beaulieu. Ryan’s journey Ryan is on a mission to make the entrepreneurial journey worthwhile for everyone. Through Arkona, he offers education and services to help people with their businesses and business finances.  It all stems from Ryan’s experience growing up in a business his dad started from the ground up. At the end of 2009, their family business lost $940,000.00 and they had to choose between doubling down to make it worthwhile keeping or selling the business and shutting it down entirely. They decided to keep going. Over the next five years, they sold two branches, built out the managed IT services and software automation, rolled out a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, replaced most of their employees, and rebranded while juggling a $240,000 payroll every two weeks. In 2014, they sold the business because they could not align their goals and strategies. What do you want? When people call Ryan to say they want out of their business, he asks them whether they want out of their job or assets. Mostly, they are sick of all the duties associated with their role in the business.   Reverse engineering an equity valuation Many entrepreneurs don’t even know if what they are doing is worth it, and their goals are often based on revenue, which is not a good indicator of whether or not they have made it. Ryan likes to ask entrepreneurs what target equity value they want for their business at a point in time, regardless of whether or not they want to sell. (If a company is viewed and run like a financial asset, it needs to grow in value!) What business owners need to have in place and do: A dashboard to monitor their numbers A goal Hire people and delegate Make it unnecessary to be in the business themselves Ryan’s 5 Intentional Growth Principles  Ryan has adopted five principles to bring clarity to business owners and crystalize and synthesize the questions they often ask:  Your vision; What do you want from the business, and why?  Your financial targets (target annual income, asset net worth, and the equity value of the company) Exit Options (Internal - Management/Family/Partners, Acquisition Entrepreneurs ESAPs, Private Equity, Strategic Buyers) Creating sustainable, predictable, and transferable cash flow (The more sustainable, predictable, and transferable the cash flow, the more intrinsic value the business will have.) Team of advisors (Hire experts to advise you on optimizing all aspects of the business.) The best outcome When most business owners consider the best outcome, they tend to gravitate toward a number. A better option would be to focus on growing the intrinsic financial value based on the cash flow valuation because that will likely guarantee five multiples within the ESOP.  (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) The benefits of ESOP If you’re in an ESOP and sell your company, you can put up to 15% of the rolled equity back into your company. You also get to be a paid CEO, make all the decisions, and do not pay taxes. What is happening in the market? Private equity raised almost a trillion-and-a-half dollars in capital, they are charging investors 2% to manage that money, and they have not yet bought anything.  Enterprise-purchasing power The US technically has 8 million dollars of enterprise purchasing power to buy companies that comprise only 4% of the market. That creates a problem for those who want to sell and for those who have invested in private equity. So private equity companies are now readjusting all their models. Prices will drop, and people will get higher earn-outs, more equity, and less debt.  A great opportunity A great opportunity exists for people to buy companies, grow value, and monetize when they want to exit.    Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website   Connect with Ryan Tansom Arkona On LinkedIn

The Business of Meetings – Episode 157 – Running Your Business as Though You Plan To Sell It with Eric Rozenberg Today, Eric shares some recent content he created for a webinar for a group of business owners. It focuses on increasing the value of your business and preparing your business to be sold- even if you are not looking to sell it. Make sure your business can function without you! We hope you find the information helpful! Bio Eric Rozenberg has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow and manage their business better. His purpose is to inspire people with integrity and honesty, help them take action, get results, and develop their business and their Life. For two decades in his previous life, consulted with Fortune 500 companies and produced award-winning sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches, and conferences in more than 50 countries across diverse industries. He believes organizations must create meetings and events that are not only breathtakingly memorable but which bring corporate strategies to life and amplify team motivation/performance. Eric is an acquisition entrepreneur, speaker, podcaster, and two-time Amazon bestselling author. His podcast, "The Business of Meetings," is the first podcast in the Meetings & Events Industry dedicated to business owners. Every Tuesday, listeners learn something new they can apply in their businesses and/or get inspired by amazing guests. His first book, Meeting at C-Level, is the first book on the “why” of a meeting. It has been endorsed by 20 of the most influential leaders from the corporate and association worlds and helps professionals to position themselves as a strategic partner. His second book, Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America, is a story of grit, perseverance, and courage. It describes why and how he and his wife brought their daughters to America and why it is the greatest country on Earth. Eric is a current member of the Entrepreneurs Organization and The Strategic Forum. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Demoucelle Parkinson Foundation in Belgium and was the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of Meetings Professional International (MPI), the largest professional association in the Meetings and Events Industry. About Eric Eric has always been working in small businesses. He has started and exited several small businesses and has been involved in various organizations. He loves what he does, which includes sharing content via his books and this podcast, and being a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs. He also seeks to acquire small businesses, mainly in service, hospitality, and in continued professional education. Why did you start your business? Business is a rollercoaster, and it is never easy. When you are going through difficult times, it helps to remember why you started the business in the first place. Why would you want to sell your business? People sell their businesses for various reasons. Some build their businesses so the next generation can take over, while others consider selling because they no longer have the drive to continue. Sometimes, people sell to make money or because they want more time to focus on what they enjoy most. What is your number, and what is your time frame? If you are considering selling your business five years from now, you need to know how much it is worth today, how much you will need to make when you sell it, and how to increase its value by the time you are ready to sell it. You will be taxed when you sell, so you will not get 100% of the proceeds. What are your values? Define your values because they will influence whatever matters to you. They will influence how you grow your business, how and when you sell it, who you sell it to, and what you do to protect those working there. How much is enough? Work out how much will be enough to cover whatever you want from life. That should include your lifestyle choice and the goals you hope to achieve. What buyers look for You will likely get a higher price if you sell to a company that sees your business as a strategic acquisition rather than selling to someone who would operate the business. Venture capital and private equity buyers look for good investments and they usually have a lot of funding to invest. However, you might not be at their level of investment. Eric is an acquisition entrepreneur. He looks for businesses between one and two million EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). Potential buyers It is helpful to look at potential companies that could acquire your business. Look at the type of businesses they have and the acquisitions they make. Get to know them, and perhaps even develop a relationship with them. Buyer expectations You will need to match your potential buyers' expectations to your values and numbers. Increase the value Your business will be worth more if it can function without you. You can also create value by hiring the right people, building the right culture, and having the right processes in every department. Team building Focus on your strengths and leverage them. Hire for your weaknesses and delegate everything outside of your zone of energy, to increase the value of your business. Know your numbers You need to know the numbers, the analytics for projects, and your profit. Plan for your cash flow and the KPIs that matter, and focus on EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). Retiring rather than re-tiring When you stop doing something you have been doing for many years, replace it with something to keep you busy and occupy your brain. Find something stimulating to do after you sell your company. In summary Focus on the processes, people, and culture. Most importantly, ensure you have a good plan to execute and focus on your accountability. (Eric suggests having an accountability buddy.) Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Recommended books: Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America by Eric Rozenberg Meeting at C-Level by Eric Rozenberg Simple Numbers 2.0: Rules for Smart Scaling by Greg Crabtree Scaling Up by Verne Arnish Traction by Gino Wickman Atomic Habits by James Clear Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell The Number by Lee Eisenberg The E Myth by Michael Gerber The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Links: Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) The Strategic Forum Demoucelle Parkinson Foundation in Belgium Meetings Professional International

The Business of Meetings – Episode - 156: How Luxury Brands Talk To Their Clients with Neen James   We are delighted to be speaking with Neen James today! Neen has been working in various industries across the world. She is the author of Attention Pays and the President and CEO of Neen James, Incorporated. She is with us today to share her journey and discuss the fascinating survey she did recently on luxury brands, how people look at luxury, and the best way to speak with clients dealing with luxury brands.  We hope you enjoy listening to today’s inspiring and informative conversation with Neen James! Bio: Neen James is the author of nine books including Folding Time™ and her most recent, Attention PaysTM. She was named one of the top 30 Leadership Speakers by Global Guru several years in a row because of her work with companies like Viacom, Comcast, Cisco, Virgin, Johnson & Johnson, and the FBI, among others. Neen is a leadership expert who delivers high-energy keynotes that challenge audiences to prioritize focus in their work and lives. Understanding that attention and productivity can only come after clarifying what matters most, audiences leave Neen’s keynotes with practical strategies they can then apply personally and professionally to get them where they want to be. Compelling in delivering presentations, Neen is adaptive and responsive to the unique needs of live, virtual, and hybrid experiences. Meeting planners love working with her – they often describe Neen as the energizer bunny for their events. With a strong background in learning and development and managing large teams at various corporations, Neen is the perfect fit for organizations that want systems thinking-based, implementable strategies. After working with Neen, their employees are able to create space and allow the freedom to avoid distractions, stop interruptions, prioritize daily objectives, and say ‘no’ to requests that steal time and focus from real goals and priorities. Neen earned her MBA from Southern Cross University and the Certified Speaking Professional designation from National Speakers Association. She has received numerous awards as a professional speaker and is a partner in the international education company Thought Leaders Global. Oh, did we mention that Neen is Australian? Why does that matter? Well, it means that she’s a bit mischievous, pretty witty, and a little cheeky. She also considers herself an unofficial champagne taste tester ... and is obsessed with her Peloton bike... a bike that goes nowhere! Neen’s journey Neen grew up in corporate business, in Australia. She worked in retail banking, telecommunications, and the oil industry. As an executive strategist, she became obsessed with finding out how to get people to pay attention to what really matters. Someone once nudged her to become a speaker. She set up a company and found her first retainer client immediately. Her company has grown since then, she relocated to the United States, wrote some books, and did some research studies. Leaving corporate Australia There were various things that prompted Neen to leave corporate Australia. She was working in the prepaid cellphone industry and did some fun projects there, including launching Virgin® in Australia. She became known as someone who got things done and people kept on asking her to speak at conferences. So, she decided to do something for herself. She managed to convince the board that the best strategy was to re-engineer the business, centralize the roles, and let many people go, herself included. Corporate life Neen loved corporate life, and she still loves corporate clients! Being a corporate girl was a great gift for her because she now does a lot of corporate work, particularly with CEOs and their teams. Referrals An entrepreneur was born…Neen built her company from scratch! All of her business opportunities have come from referrals from people in her audience or her network.  Changing According to Neen, anyone thinking of making a change needs to be courageous, believe in yourself, know what you’re good at, and look for what will truly light you up! The difference between Aussies and Americans Because Neen enjoyed living in the US so much, she became a citizen. She believes one difference between Australians and Americans is that Australians work hard and play hard. Americans work hard. Using your out-of-office and voicemail Use your out-of-office and voicemail as ways for people to experience you. It can be a fun way to extend your personal brand, provide information for people sending you notes, and manage people’s expectations.  What Need discovered through her survey on luxury brands Thoughts create feelings. Neen wanted to find out what people think about luxury rather than how they feel about it. The research firm that did her survey interviewed hundreds of leaders and found that there are four different luxury mindsets (or archetypes). Through the survey, they were able to discover how each of those mindsets makes decisions, how they define luxury, what’s important to them, and who influences their decisions. Knowing that can help brands assess the mindsets with which they want to work with, and then align their messages to attract those mindsets. The four luxury mindsets/archetypes: Reluctant and removed – Luxury is hard  Pro-prioritizer – Luxury is power Confident and content – They’ve got this The luxury-lover – They think they are worth it Helping companies speak luxury language Companies should speak the luxury language of the luxury mindset they want to attract. Neen helps them do that. Various implications There are many different implications for luxury brands in research, and Neen loves sharing them with the audiences she works with! Time Neen believes time can only be managed if things will happen whether we like it or not. (She talks about that in her book, Folding Time.) However, you can manage your attention. (Neen talks about how to be more intentional with your attention in her book, Attention Pays.) Is luxury recession-proof? Whether or not a recession occurs, some people will continue having the luxury lifestyle they have always enjoyed. So she does not foresee a crisis for luxury brands. However, she does see luxury brands having to market differently and align their messages to appeal to luxury mindsets. Inter-generational travel Neen has noticed a trend of inter-generational travel, where one family member pays for the whole family to take a luxury cruise together. How Neen helps her clients When Neen consults with her clients, she looks at how they assess the mindset of the person they want to attract and how they align their messages to ensure everything is consistent with that mindest. She also helps her clients build advocates for their brands. Neen’s advice Whether you are in the luxury space or not, think about the kind of people you want to work with, the companies and brands with which you would like to be aligned, and the actions you intend to take to support those companies or brands. Tiny changes By implementing some tiny changes, it’s easy for anyone to transform an ordinary, everyday experience into a luxury one! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Neen James On her website  On Instagram On LinkedIn Email Neen: [email protected]  Download Neen James Luxury Mindset Research Executive Summary Books by Neen James Folding Time: How to Achieve Twice as Much in Half the Time Attention Pays: How to Drive Profitability, Productivity, and Accountability Secrets of Super-Productivity: How to Achieve Amazing Things in Your Work Life  

We are delighted to be speaking with Gijs Hillmann from CultureBeatz today! Gijs has spent many years working in an international environment, and has had some unique experiences! He joins us today to share his journey, discuss cultural diversity, and dive into working with different cultures within the same organization. We hope you enjoy listening to today’s captivating conversation with Gijs Hillmann! Bio: Gijs (Gys) Hillmann is an international corporate management trainer focused on organizational development and cultural diversity, primarily within industries that work regularly with labor migrants, economic migrants, or transient groups of international workers. Gijs's work is inspired by his experiences growing up and seeing migrant workers in positions that they were severely overqualified for, for organizations that didn’t care about them; he has seen them treated inhumanely and dehumanized and he is determined to be an agent of change. Gijs dedicates his work to ensuring migrants’ voices are heard in an effort to end the unfair treatment they so often receive. Gijs specializes in building and retaining High-Performance and High-Impact Cultures for international organizations. Described as an inspirational and pragmatic speaker, Gijs combines local and world-class examples with practical case studies. In his keynotes, training, and consulting, managers and employees learn how to lead, develop themselves, build teams, manage conflicts, and communicate effectively on how to create inspiring workplace cultures. Gijs has trained multiple teams and individuals in the skills they need to be more productive and successful in a wide range of countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Gijs’s journey Gijs was born to Dutch parents in a mining town on the Zambian Copperbelt. His parents struggled to readjust after returning to the Netherlands, so they returned to Africa two years later. Gijs spent the next nine years growing up in Namibia. Toward the end of the apartheid years, he and his family moved to a conservative town in South Africa. After completing his schooling, Gijs joined the South African military, where he experienced a stark contrast to the multicultural Namibian environment. Several years later, he returned to the Netherlands, where he spent almost two years working on the lines in the logistics environment in a warehousing supply chain and living in migrant labor locations with his mostly Polish colleagues. Working for an international temporary labor migration agency Gijs spent the following 18 years growing up and developing while working for an international temporary labor migration agency that specialized in relocating people from Eastern Europe to Western Europe. A corporate trainer Gijs became a corporate trainer in 2010. He spent much of his time dealing with blue chip clients, discussing diversity and ways to integrate people from diverse cultures onto the work floor. On the work floor, he noticed that people often failed to understand each other, and there was a lack of fundamental understanding that everyone has the same capacities and capabilities. As a result, the economic migrants got a very raw deal. Motivated by people’s struggles Seeing the struggles people had with integrating on the work floor, and the struggles operational leaders across all sectors had in integrating with the people, motivated Gijs to take action. Migrants pay a massive price Migrants pay a massive price to work in a different country. They have to leave many things behind, including family, way of life, and sometimes even their studies. Gijs believes that when working with economic migrants from other countries, he must treat them in a way that they do not have to pay twice the price for their freedom. (For the first time when they leave their place of origin, and for the second time on the work floor, when they perhaps get misunderstood and are not appreciated or valued, and get treated in a menial way.) Diversity For Gijs, diversity is much larger and more encompassing than just cultural diversity. He feels that diversity also encompasses generational diversity, gender diversity, and diversity in people’s values or belief systems. Understanding the context Gijs believes that if you would like to challenge one aspect of any business, it is essential to understand the context of the larger business and approach it from multiple angles.  Helping companies work better Gijs runs training programs to help migrants deal with workplace challenges and helps operational leaders understand those with whom they are working. He also trains HR leaders to understand that shaping and changing a company culture requires more than change management. It is about doing the right thing for a larger group of people. He teaches them about what they need to put in place to ensure that their workplaces are equitable, and he helps them understand that everyone working there must have a voice and be able to add to the tapestry of work. How Gijs helps economic migrants Gijs helps economic migrants understand the expectations of the work environment. He also helps them understand that the work environment is not yet ready to accept all the baggage and experience they have brought with them. Creating a safe environment for conferences The most important thing to remember when creating a safe conference environment is to be curious and sensitive about the backgrounds of everyone across the floor- whether they are speakers, hosts, or attendees. It is also essential to create an inclusive environment. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Gijs Hillmann On LinkedIn  CultureBeatz Books mentioned: Taken for a Ride by Bill Vlasic and Bradley A Stertz

154 – Where Do We Go From Here with Michael Dominguez Today we have the pleasure of speaking with a legend in the industry! Michael Dominguez is the President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). He has a gift for explaining very complex economic issues simply. He joins us today to discuss the economy and where we are going. We hope you enjoy listening to today’s informative conversation with Michael Dominguez! Bio:  Michael Dominguez President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) Michael Dominguez serves as the President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). ALHI is the largest Global Sales Organization with a team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. Before joining ALHI, Michael served in executive sales leadership roles with MGM Resorts International as Chief Sales Officer and many brand and independent branded companies. Michael is an award-winning hospitality industry veteran. He has received multiple honors for his leadership and influence and has been recognized as a change agent by his peers. He has also been a speaker with Fortune 100 Companies on topics ranging from disruption to the economy and a passion for leadership and was invited as a speaker at SXSW in 2018. ALHI ALHI is a membership-driven sales representation company for independent hotels and brands. It has been around for the last 35 years. About two years ago, they saw a need for specific consulting disciplines and started gathering expertise from various areas that they felt would be valuable to the industry. Recently, they launched their first internal consultant to help independent hotels understand data science and how to use it to drive their decisions. A confusing environment Today, we are living in a confusing environment where information gets given to us in bite-sized pieces. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the time to research the real story and find out what all the data means.  Hotels Hotels have been achieving record revenues when compared with 2019. Most of that was due to rate growth. However, the gross operating profit margins for convention hotels decreased by two-tenths of a percent. So even though hotels are hitting record revenues, they are making less profit due to wage inflation. (In the hotel industry, wage inflation has over-indexed that of all other industries by ten percent.)  Growth We will see the rate of growth slowing down in the hotel industry but that will not indicate a recession or mean things are going backward. There will still be healthy growth within the industry. Food and beverage The price of everything within food and beverage has risen. The good part is that things are settling. The negative is that we will settle at a higher baseline. That still does not mean we are going backwards.  A missing piece in the conversation According to forecasts, we should be back to a growth rate of a CPI of around 3% by 2024. That means we will have grown 18% in CPI over three years, which is normal. That is the missing piece in the conversation that proves we are not going backward- we are still growing. We have just reset the baseline. A potential wheat crisis 59% of Ukraine's land gets used for growing food to be exported to some of the world’s poorest and neediest countries. Ukraine had no harvesting season last year because the invasion started just after they started laying their crops. The US did not have a good wheat crop last year due to drought conditions followed by floods in all the major areas. As a result, Michael is concerned that there may be a wheat shortage in the US, which means that the cost of wheat will rise dramatically. Additionally, there may be a famine situation in certain parts of the world for which the US will need to offer support.  The effects of a changing financial environment on the hotel industry The financial environment has changed. The Federal fund rate that was zero is now pushing 5%. Many hotel owners opted to re-finance their debts or start projects when the interest rate was zero. That means they will have to re-finance within the next few years in a rate environment that is five percentage points higher. That will add a massive amount of debt to the operation of properties, which will strain hotel operators and delay the building of any new hotels.   What has changed for hotels? The debt environment The interest environment Countries are re-considering putting their reserves into the US dollar. (If no one buys our debt, we will have to pay much more for it.) What is the solution? We have a spending issue, not a revenue issue. So we need discussions around ways to control spending and get our spending back under control. People working in hotels Hotels are not experiencing a great resignation. However, there is realignment with people moving to different jobs and environments within the industry. Michael believes that the hotel industry needs to get better at teaching young people about what goes on and the variety of disciplines and opportunities within the industry. He also feels that it is essential to address the issue of child care. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Michael Dominguez On LinkedIn Associated Luxury Hotels International

The Business of Meetings – Episode 153 – The Power of Storytelling with Andy Henriquez Today we have the great pleasure of speaking with Andy Henriquez, founder of Master Storyteller Academy! Andy’s journey has been an interesting one. He is an amazing storyteller, and is adept at linking his stories to the business! He joins us today to tell his story and share his secrets to success. Andy’s bio: Andy Henriquez, also known as the “master storyteller” and founder of the Master Storyteller Academy, is a business storytelling coach, keynote speaker, and author of the game-changing book, Show Up For Your Life. A sought-after speaker, Andy has been featured in Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Entrepreneur Magazine and has made several national television appearances. Andy trains corporations, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurs how to unlock the power of story to elevate their brands, build greater connections and increase revenue. Some of his past clients include Office Depot Foundation, Accenture, Pratt & Whitney, NASA, and Bacardi, to name a few. Whether standing on stage and captivating an audience or conducting workshops and training, Andy is known for transforming audiences. When he’s not on stage, Andy loves spending time with his wife Casandra, and his daughter, Ava Skye. Andy’s story Andy grew up in a Caribbean household where his mom taught him that the key to success lay in getting a good education, and a good job. He studied hard, graduated summa cum laude, did a master’s degree in corporate accounting, and passed the CPA exam. However, when he started working as an associate for a company, he was miserable and felt that there had to be more. So he spent the next year thinking about becoming a speaker and coach. In 2004, things shifted and he decided to take a chance and act on faith instead of fear. He had no idea what would come next, but he was sure he could no longer keep doing what he had done before. Life will test you Whenever you make a life-changing decision, that decision will get tested! On the day Andy was ready to resign, he got offered a promotion! Even though part of him wanted to play things safe and stay on, he followed through and left corporate America.  Costa Rica A family friend heard that Andy was looking for an opportunity. He said that Costa Rica was growing and held many possibilities for the future. He invited Andy to join him in a real estate project there. When Andy arrived in Costa Rica, things looked good so he invested most of his savings in some land on which they intended to erect some pre-manufactured homes and he returned to America. Things seemed to be going well for the first few months, but then Andy learned that his friend had lost all his money on a bad short-term investment with which he had hoped to get a quick return. A big lesson The lesson Andy learned from that experience was to expect to get tested.  Understanding the negativity of those who love you When people who love you speak negatively about a risky entrepreneurial idea you’ve come up with, understand that they only do so because they want to protect you. They project their fears and limiting beliefs onto you because they love you. When that happens, know that you do not have to accept what they say, nor do you have to apply their limitations in your life. Learning from failures Some of the best lessons entrepreneurs ever learn come from the failures and the challenges they experience. A key to success Andy learned that one of the keys to success lies in knowing that life is rigged for you to succeed. So when life punches you in the face, don’t throw in the towel! Understand that it is part of your journey to success. Investing in yourself Les Brown is one of the top five speakers in the world. He had a massive impact on Andy’s life and taught him that you have to invest in yourself at the level at which you expect results. Through Les, Andy learned that the more you pay for coaching, the more you pay attention! The power of storytelling Attention is the new currency. Andy has found that the best leaders are the best storytellers because storytelling is one of the best ways to capture people’s attention, connect with them emotionally, and direct their attention to action.  Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Andy Henriquez On his website On Master Storyteller Academy On LinkedIn On Instagram (@showupforyourlife) On all social media: @AndyHenriquez Books mentioned: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley The Millionaire Mindset by Thomas J. Stanley Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

The Business of Meetings – Episode 152 – The Amazing Story of the Savannah Bananas with Jesse Cole We are excited to have the legendary Jesse Cole joining us today!  In today's episode, Jesse shares the incredible story behind how he and his wife, Emily, started the famous Savannah Bananas, the year-round baseball team! He also gets into where they are today, their vision, and how he leverages the Savannah Bananas for his projects! You will absolutely love listening to today’s super-motivating conversation with Jesse Cole! Bio Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the owner of the Savannah Bananas. He’s fanatic about fandom and launched the Savannah Bananas with one mission: to spark a fan-focused movement. Whether at the ballpark, on social media, onstage delivering keynotes, in features for ESPN and Entrepreneur, or in his first book, Find Your Yellow Tux, Jesse continues to create fans all over the world. The Bananas have sold out every game since their first season and have a waitlist for tickets in the thousands. They have entertained millions of fans in Savannah and at ballparks all over their country on their Banana Ball Tour. Jesse is the proud inventor of Banana Ball and Dolce & Banana underwear and a not-so-proud promoter of the Human Horse Race and Flatulence Fun Night. He’s a raving fan of his wife, Emily, his kids, and peerless promoters like Walt Disney, PT Barnum, and Bill Veeck. Jesse owns seven yellow tuxedos. Jesse’s story Jesse was raised by his dad, who spent hours playing baseball with him and taught him the value of putting in the effort to create something special!  Jesse played baseball throughout his life. After getting into the baseball industry about fifteen years ago, he tore his shoulder, and his baseball career ended. So, he started working in the front office and began his journey to where he is today. Savannah Bananas  Before starting the Savannah Bananas, Jesse spent ten years with the team in Gastonia, North Carolina. He became their GM when he was twenty-three and had to figure out how to make people excited about going to a baseball game. It was much harder than he anticipated, so he tried doing some crazy things! Then, seven years ago, Jesse and his wife moved to Savannah, Georgia, and had the opportunity to take on an old and historic stadium. Jesse was not successful in selling the way everyone else did because no one took him seriously. So he tried something new.  A vision Everything we accomplish in life starts with a vision. Especially in business! Going into Savannah, Jesse and his wife truly believed they could change baseball games, make them fun, and create something people had never seen before! It was tough at first, but they knew their idea would work. Fans first Many companies focus solely on chasing customers. However, early on, Jesse and his wife became obsessed with creating fans and decided to focus on putting their fans first. So they named their company Fans First Entertainment. All-inclusive tickets They decided to make every ticket all-inclusive so that if the game was terrible, the fans would still get some value for their money because everything, including the food, was included.  Spicing things up They decided to spice things up and go all-in on creating an entertaining experience. They hired a dancing coach and choreographed dances for the players. They introduced a banana baby that they lifted, celebrated, and sang to at the start of the match. They even handed out roses to little girls in the middle of the game! No more marketing After that, they no longer had to do any marketing. They just shared what they were doing, and people told others about it! ESPN ESPN became aware of what they were doing. So they wrote an article about the Savannah Bananas, which did very well. Then their sports center did a feature on them which also did very well. Then, Jesse and his wife approached ESPN with an idea they had for a show, and they agreed. The show was highly-rated (and still does well today) and led to even bigger things! Making baseball more fun Leaning in on making baseball more fun, offering non-stop entertainment, and storytelling, creating memorable moments for fans, and building an idea culture helped them get to where they are today! No more normal Doing normal things gets normal results. So they work from the premise of doing the exact opposite of whatever would be deemed normal. What if Asking what if, and trying out new things, motivates them to keep finding new and exciting ways to entertain their fans.  Secondary ticket sellers Jesse always refused to sell tickets to secondary marketing groups. One group even offered to pay twice the ticket value and buy more than a million dollars worth of tickets. But Jesse refused because that would inflate ticket prices, and hurting their fans goes against everything they stand for. Living the dream Jesse’s dream for the future is to continue chasing the energy they created, making people happy, and dancing in front of fans all over the world! Surrounding yourself with good people When you share your vision, what you stand for, and what you hope to accomplish, you will attract the best people to work for you! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Jesse Cole Fans First Entertainment: Bananas For Business The Savannah Bananas Jesse’s Books Fans First Find Your Yellow Tuxedo

The Business of Meetings – Episode 151 – Every Seat Matters with Cleo Battle Today, Eric is joined by Cleo Battle, the President, and CEO of Louisville Tourism and the new Chair of the international board of MPI!  Cleo Battle Biography:  Cleo Battle, a hospitality industry veteran of nearly 35 years, currently serves as President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. Before coming to Louisville, he spent 12 years as Vice President of Sales & Services of the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau in Richmond, VA. He held the positions of Director of Sales and Sales Manager at the Richmond CVB.  Battle began his hospitality career in the hotel industry by working for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Sheraton Hotels. Battle is a native of Denver and a graduate of Metropolitan State University in Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. He earned his Master's of Business Administration in 1997 from Averett University in Virginia. He is both a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE).  Battle’s most recent industry recognition includes Events Industry Council 2020 Social Impact award winner, Business First Louisville’s inaugural Power 50 as well as The Courier-Journal’s 12 People to Watch in 2021.  Battle currently serves on the Meeting Planners International Board of Directors, Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors, Louisville Sports Commission Executive Board, LRAA Board, Kentucky State Fair Board, Louisville Zoo Foundation Board, Funds for the Arts Board, and Board Member for Northeast YMCA of Louisville. He is the Past Chair of Destination & Travel Foundation, Destination International Sales & Services Committee, and the Virginia State University Hospitality Department Advisory Board. Cleo’s journey Cleo was a college track and field athlete. In his third year, he tore a leg muscle and since he was still undecided about what he would major in, he spoke to a school counselor who suggested going into the field of hotel restaurant management. He began taking classes and also worked as an intern in a hotel. Eventually, he was hired into the management training program for Promise Hotels. That’s when his career took off! How athletics set Cleo up for success Learning how to run hurdles gave Cleo adaptability and flexibility and many other skill sets he needed to grow and become successful in his career. Cleo truly understands the importance of having a strong team and learned that you cannot do everything by yourself in business and that you are only as good as the people around you. His old boss from Richmond, Virginia, taught him the key to any successful endeavor lies in hiring well. He used to tell Cleo to hire well, provide good resources, and then get the hell out of the way!  Trust Trust is an essential ingredient for teamwork. People do much better when they work in a professional space where constructive criticism is valued, they can be honest about their thoughts, and where they know their opinions will be respected, regardless of what the leaders ultimately decide to do. Every seat matters At staff meetings, Cleo always tells the members of his organization that every seat matters. He wants them to understand that regardless of whether they are the director of sales, a marketing manager, or an administrative assistant, their seat in the organization matters! Enabling people Whenever there is a new subject matter, Cleo enables his team by inviting them to share ideas, thoughts and opinions on it. Cleo’s current position Even though his current position as President and CEO of Louisville Tourism involves a lot of legislative work and more talk about politics than customers, Cleo maintains the belief it’s vital to stay true to the core mission of Louisville Tourism and bring visitors to the community. MPI Since the beginning of January, Cleo became the Chair of MPI and serves on its International Board of Directors. He insists on his team having a growth mindset rather than one of recovery.  The cost of doing business has changed Since the pandemic, the cost of doing business has changed. So a lot of work has to be done on the industry brand to help those outside it see its value, what is being done, why it is important, and how the industry impacts people’s lives. Getting more people to join the industry Cleo points out that personnel of hotels, convention centers, museums and attractions, restaurants, and airports cannot work from home. So the industry will need to figure out the right balance between automated and personal services going forward. He believes that the industry must invest in its brand to let more people know why it is such an exciting industry to join. Appreciation and acknowledgment Cleo feels that openly acknowledging his staff members and appreciating what they do are the best ways to encourage them to offer customers the best possible service! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Cleo Battle On LinkedIn Louisville Tourism MPI Books mentioned: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The Business of Meetings – Episode 150 – Buy Back Your Time with Dan Martell We have the great pleasure of speaking with Dan Martell, the founder of the SaaS Academy, today. Dan has just launched a book called Buy Back Your Time. Dan became a millionaire at twenty-seven and he joins us to tell his story and share his understanding and experience. We hope you will enjoy listening to today’s insightful and inspiring conversation with Dan Martell! Bio: Dan Martell is an entrepreneur, angel investor, thought leader, and highly sought-after coach in the SaaS, or software as a service, industry. He founded, scaled, and successfully exited three technology companies within a ten-year period. In 2012, he was named Canada’s top angel investor, having invested in more than 50 start-ups, such as Intercom, Udemy, and Unbounce. In 2016, Martell founded the SaaS Academy and grew it to become one of the largest coaching companies in the world. He is also an Ironman athlete, philanthropist, husband, and father of two incredible boys. Dan’s journey Dan grew up in a crazy environment where his mother was an alcoholic and his dad often traveled and was seldom around. Dan had tons of energy and was always pushing the limits and organizing things like wars with the neighborhood kids. Everything fell apart when he got introduced to drugs at a very young age, became an addict, got put into group homes, crisis centers, foster care, and ended up in juvenile detention. From there, things spiraled out of control until Dan found himself imprisoned for six months. He was released to a live-in rehab center and spent 11 months working on himself. During that time, his mom got sober, his dad was there for him, and he was able to rebuild his family relationships.  Building internet companies He then used a computer to learn Javascript and became obsessed with writing code and building software. When he left rehab, he discovered the internet and started building internet companies, which became his ultimate self-development program. Personal development In rehab, Dan learned about personal development and took what he learned to his business.  Software companies Eventually, Dan went on to build and exit many different software companies. He also invested in more than 50 billion-dollar technology companies. Today, he runs two eight-figure companies, SaaS Academy and High-Speed Ventures. An active life  Completing three Iron Mans last year is only one way Dan lives an active life. This year he will do an Ultra and a Spartan. He also spends two-and-a-half months each year traveling and skiing with his two young sons. Inspiring others Because of all of Dan’s childhood challenges, he now wants to inspire people to understand that their history is not their ultimate biography. Your mess can indeed become your message. Buying Back Your Time The buy-back principle and buying back your time became a way of living that Dan taught privately to his coaching clients for quite some time. Serendipity Serendipity has a way of showing up, but it is ultimately up to each of us to answer the call. Dan hopes that anyone listening to this podcast who has to make a life-changing choice chooses the best path forward!  Building a business People tend to build businesses they grow to hate because they hire people in the wrong order, outsource things in the wrong sequence, and delegate in sloppy ways, according to Dan. That tends to create a prison rather than a life of freedom. Success Dan’s philosophy is that success is born of the emotional fuel you bring to your pursuit.  Dan’s book Dan’s book, Buy Back Your Time, is not only about productivity, but it is also about considering your being-ness in your business, creating more income, and experiencing more freedom. Spending time with your family  Many people tell themselves they are working hard for their families when those people seldom have the time to see their families, have experiences with them, or be present for significant moments. Creating more income You can create more income if you buy back your time. Success does not require more of your time. It requires you to understand and invest in leverage and skillsets, and develop better beliefs and character traits.  SaaS Academy The book, Buy Back Your Time, was a by-product of Dan’s coaching service. After investing in companies, he would teach the CEOs methodology he’d perfected through the early advising of the CEOs he invested in. This has subsequently become core to the SaaS Academy. Investing in yourself Most people won’t buy back their time because they don’t trust themselves or they do not feel worthy of it. They may even believe that building a business requires suffering. Dan points out that feeling unworthy is a decision. If you want to believe in yourself and invest in yourself, you just have to do it.  When you can, you must Dan has developed the philosophy that when he can, he must, which has helped him build the muscle to keep going when faced with anxiety or adversity. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Dan Martell On LinkedIn On Instagram Buy Back Your Time website

Today, we are happy to be speaking with Matt Wolff, the Founder, and CEO of the Ticket Time Machine!  In this episode, Matt gets into how his niche is taking him in the opposite direction from where the rest of the market is going. We hope you enjoy listening to today’s captivating conversation with Matt Wolff! Bio: Matt is the Founder & CEO of Ticket Time Machine™, a souvenir ticket company that specializes in commemorative keepsakes. They are keeping the printed memory alive with their commemorative keepsakes and enhancing the fan experience with their digital experiences. He grew up in Marlboro, NJ, and graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) in 1998 with his twin brother. He got married on Leap Day (2/29/20) and currently lives in Lake Worth, FL with his wife and cats. He has 3 Nieces and 3 Nephews and likes to spoil them whenever he visits. Ever since graduating college, Matt has been going to sporting events and concerts non-stop. He has traveled the world (over 20 countries and 41 states) watching sporting events, trying new food, and listening to music. Matt’s journey Many years ago, Matt started his sales career by selling ticket printing services for Worldwide Ticket Craft. After six or seven years, he left the ticketing world to find a new sales opportunity and started selling anti-money laundering software. About four years later, he was at a no-hitter Marlins game with a digital ticket when they announced that anyone who wanted a printed ticket could get one from the box office. He asked them to customize his ticket to say the game was a no-hitter, and they said they could not, even though Matt knew they could. That very day, Ticket Time Machine was born, and about a year later, Matt quit his job to go all-in on his souvenir-ticketing business. Covid Matt gave his notice about three months before Covid hit. Even with a year of lost sales, he would not think twice about making the same decision again because without having had a year with no pressure to sell anything, he would not be where he is right now. A keepsake Offering a souvenir-collectible item that was functional and useful as a keepsake for events, proved successful, even if it was not used for admission. Matt’s goal Matt wants to become the Ticketmaster of souvenir tickets! When he started Ticket Time Machine, he set the goal that by 2025, he will have a Ticket Time Machine Suite in the swamp.  Matt’s ambition Even though he is a solopreneur, Matt has tech and silent partners, and he surrounds himself with a network of mentors and others helping him get to where he wants to go. His ambition is to become part of the international market. Revenue Matt’s revenue for 2022 is 10x what it was in 2021, and he hopes to go 10x again in 2023! Getting everything done Matt has some things that have to get done and other things he would like to do. He does a lot of multi-tasking and tends to push things around a bit, but he always ensures that whatever is most important gets done first.  Mental health Matt’s number one rule for mental health is that he never argues with his body. So, if he feels tired during the day, he stops doing whatever he is doing and takes a nap. He has experienced depression before, so he is aware that he needs to take care of himself and find the time to do things that make him happy. He also cares about others and likes to take care of them too. Customer service Matt believes that all the various aspects of his excellent customer service have led to his success in sales.  Building a company culture Building a healthy and sustainable company culture requires everyone to be flexible until the right way gets figured out. Regardless of the culture and size of the company, everyone must always get treated well. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Matt Wolff On LinkedIn On Facebook Ticket Time Machine Email Matt: [email protected]

Today, we are honored and delighted to speak with Mark Divine, a former Commander of the SEALs!  Mark is an amazing individual! He is spent 20 years with the Navy SEALs and is a business entrepreneur and a New York Times Bestselling author! In this exciting episode, he discusses how to get to know yourself, knowing how to breathe, how to focus, and how to control your thoughts. We hope you enjoy listening to today’s fascinating interview with Mark Divine! Mark Divine Speaker Bio:  Mark Divine is an entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, and one of the world’s top leadership and coaching experts.  After a successful 20-year career as a Navy SEAL and SEAL Commander, Mark was hired by the Navy to create a nationwide coaching and leadership program for the SEALs. The bold goal of this program was to give the SEALs the best leadership and mental-management tools in the world – to help them forge unbeatable SEAL teams that achieve mission success in the most stressful, challenging environments on earth.  Divine’s leadership and coaching program for the SEALs was so effective that it’s now being used outside of the Navy by top CEOs, Fortune 100 companies, USA Olympics, elite universities, major league sports franchises, celebrities, and successful individuals from all over the world.  Mark Divine is the author of 5 best-selling books, including his latest book Staring Down The Wolf: 7 Leadership Commitments That Forge Elite Teams. He hosts a #1-ranked podcast on iTunes (Mark Divine’s Unbeatable Mind) and is the founder of 5 successful companies: Unbeatable Mind, SEALFIT, NavySEALs.com, CrossFit, and the award-winning Coronado Brewing Company in California.  Divine believes that any individual, team, or company can unlock 20X performance with the right tools and training. His company, Unbeatable Mind, helps millions of people achieve their full potential in life and business through their free training resources and advanced training programs for leaders, corporate teams, coaching professionals, and high-achieving individuals.  As a philanthropist, Mark Divine founded the Courage Foundation to help our wounded Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Recently Divine and his Courage Foundation team set a world record by completing over 22 million burpees to raise awareness, support, and funding for our Veteran heroes. Mark’s story While getting his MBA at New York University Stern School of Business and working toward becoming a CPA, Mark began meditating under the auspices of his martial arts instructor, who was also a Zen practitioner. He discovered he was physically amenable to the meditation practice and started training daily. Six to nine months later, he began experiencing intense flow states and sensing energy moving through his body. He also started coming out of meditations feeling that he was accessing who he truly was and bringing back information. He saw that he had been following someone else’s script and understood that he was not supposed to be the CPA, MBA financial guy making a ton of money.  Finding his calling Mark began journaling and asking questions about his true calling before meditating. Then, after meditating, he began sensing the idea that he was meant to be a warrior. Through that, he learned that one’s calling in life is not a job or career. It is what you are, and it has an archetypal energy to it. Becoming a warrior The notion of the warrior kept coming back to him. So he accepted it and began to imagine different ways of becoming a warrior. When he saw a poster in a Navy recruitment office about the Navy SEALs, he knew that would be his path to becoming a warrior. He decided to finish his MBA and CPA studies and apply what he had learned with the SEALs. A sense of certainty Mark applied for the SEALs but did not get his hopes up because they only take two civilians a year into Officer Candidate School and Navy SEAL training. After about nine months of visualizing himself as a Navy seal, a sense of certainty washed over him. Two or three days later, the recruiter called to tell him he was accepted. Visualization  The essence of visualization is creating a “future memory” by tapping into who you are and focusing on the purpose of what you are doing and how you will use it to serve others. The more you focus on that future memory, the more you create a magnetic pull, and the more real whatever you visualize becomes. The Mind Gym After being accepted by the Navy, Mark knew he needed to do everything in his power; physically, mentally, and emotionally, to get through the SEAL training. So, inspired by the book Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, he developed a visualization practice to help him succeed. He later developed that practice even further to become the Mind Gym. The Mind Gym is a mental place you go into to do meditation and visualization. In it, you build an imaginary sacred place where you are held and protected, and your mind is held steady. You can invite imaginary advisors and your future self to join you and share information in your Mind Gym.  SEALFIT After getting married, Mark transitioned into the reserve SEAL teams and launched SEALFIT to teach the skills he had learned to other SEALs, operatives, business professionals, and corporate teams. The Big Four Mark refers to the skills he developed, refined, and taught as the Big Four. When practiced for 20 minutes daily, those skills help people reconstruct their lives and achieve goals they previously believed were insurmountable.  They are: Breath Control (Box breathing) Mental control (With positive thoughts and internal dialogue) Imagery (Imagining or visualizing the desired outcome) Focusing wholly on the task at hand and breaking it down into micro-goals The SEALFIT Academy Mark created a 30-day in-house training program called the SEALFIT Academy to teach his Big Four skills to the “Western Warriors” who wanted to learn them. Out of that, he developed another three complete training programs: SEAL FIT, Kokoro Yoga, and Unbeatable Mind. Those programs are so effective that 90% of the Navy SEAL candidates who complete them get through the Navy SEAL training!  Mark’s Six Pillars To overcome the training programs of consumerism, corporatism, and social media, Mark teaches his trainees to notice where they get conditioned and how to deconstruct that conditioning. To do that, they must create healthy habits around nutrition, sleep, exercise, time in nature, stress management, and community practices. He calls these the Six Pillars.  Mental toughness People develop mental toughness when they learn how to control their thoughts and emotions. That can be achieved by practicing mindfulness and meditation. The future To overcome unhealthy societal conditioning and create a new and non-violent culture, we need to take back control of our lives. Mark recommends doing that positively. So, we should not fight back against the government or corporate interests. Rather, we should ignore all the negativity and violence, develop and cultivate a positive mindset, and have a positive view of the world and the future.  The Courage Foundation Mark created the Courage Foundation about five or six years ago to raise awareness about the high suicide rate among veterans, to support veteran organizations, and to help veterans with PTSD. Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website Connect with Mark Divine On his website  SEALFIT Training    On LinkedIn  The Courage Foundation   Books mentioned: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Today, Eric Rozenberg is excited to share with you, the listeners, ten books that impressed and impacted him. He sincerely hopes that you will read and enjoy them and that they will inspire you as much as they did him!  Bio: Eric Rozenberg has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses better. His purpose is to inspire people with integrity and honesty, help them take action, get results, and develop their businesses and their lives. For two decades in his previous life, Eric consulted with Fortune 500 companies and produced award-winning sales meetings, incentive trips, product launches, and conferences in more than 50 countries across diverse industries. He believes organizations must create meetings and events that are not only breathtakingly memorable but also will bring corporate strategies to life and amplify team motivation/performance.  Eric is an acquisition entrepreneur, speaker, podcaster, and two-time Amazon bestselling author. His podcast, "The Business of Meetings", is the first podcast in the Meetings & Events Industry dedicated to business owners. Every Tuesday, listeners learn something new they can apply in their businesses and/or get inspired by amazing guests. His first book, Meeting at C-Level, is the first book on the Why of a meeting. It has been endorsed by 20 of the most influential leaders from the corporate and association worlds and helps professionals to position themselves as strategic partners. His second book, Before It’s Too Late, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America, is a story of grit, perseverance, and courage. It describes why and how he and his wife brought their daughters to America and why it is the greatest country on Earth. Eric is a current member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and of The Strategic Forum. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Demoucelle Parkinson Foundation in Belgium and was the first European to serve as Chairman of the International Board of Meetings Professional International (MPI), the largest professional association in the Meetings and Events Industry. Eric’s ten recommended books: The Joy of Success, by Susan Ford Collins The Business Model Generation, by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur The Hawke Method, by Eric Huberman Trust Me, I’m Lying, by Ryan Holiday Who Not How, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman Building a StoryBrand, by Donald Miller The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel One Last Talk, by Philip McKernan Before It’s Too Late, by Eric Rozenberg The Joy of Success, by Susan Ford Collins Susan is a Co-founder of the Strategic Forum in Miami. She has been coaching people throughout her career. The Joy of Success: Ten Essential Skills for Getting the Success You Want was the first of the several books she has written. While writing the book, she looked into what made people successful and realized there are ten essential skills every successful person applies, regardless of their culture or country.  Eric found the ten skills she mentioned exciting and easy to apply. He particularly likes her idea of creating a Success File. The Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur (Designed by Alan Smith) Eric often refers to this book in his workshops or when people talk to him about their businesses because it is an interesting story. Alexander Osterwalder was writing a dissertation on business models, and that became his business. The idea behind it is to have different blocks to consider for any kind of business. You can download a tool called Business Model Canvas, where everything is mapped into one box to brainstorm a business model for a business of any size. It will eliminate the need to do market research for at least six months. The Hawke Method, by Erik Huberman Erik Huberman leads one of the fastest-growing digital agencies in America. He positioned the term “fractional CMO”. The book, The Hawke Method, is centered around the principles of awareness, nurturing, and building trust. The author gives concrete examples to illustrate ways to implement those principles. Eric recommends this book for anyone from beginners in the marketing field to seasoned entrepreneurs. Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday Ryan Holiday has written several books, including Stillness Is the Key and Perennial Seller. Trust Me, I’m Lying is a frightening book, but it is also enlightening. In the book, the author explains that incorrect information does get corrected after an article has been published. He also discusses what he did with a well-known retail chain regarding using social media to launch a product.  Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Dan Sullivan is a master coaching guru. Who not How is a principle that entrepreneurs and business owners who think they are irreplaceable and nobody can do things as well as they do, can apply to encourage them to move in the opposite direction. The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life, by Todd Herman   Todd Herman is a fascinating person who coaches athletes and individuals. He wrote The Alter Ego Effect to explain that athletes reach a point where they have to go above and beyond what they would usually do, and the person they become when they put their engine in overdrive is known as their alter ego. In the book, the author explains how to create an alter ego and how to leverage its power to overcome challenges and achieve way more than you would usually achieve in your life. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, by Donald Miller This book is a must-read for anyone considering starting a new business or who may be re-inventing an existing business. The book explains the entire methodology and journey of using seven steps to create a StoryBrand to help them define the StoryBrand for their companies.  The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth Greed and Happiness, by Morgan Housel This is a fascinating book about money. It contains impactful stories and themes to help readers reflect on their values and relationship with money. One Last Talk: Why Your Truth Matters and How to Speak It, by Philip McKernan One Last Talk is an invitation for readers to find their truth and speak it out loud to at least one person. The book gives a framework to help readers do it. It is called One Last Talk to challenge and inspire readers to focus their minds and open their hearts by making them face their metaphorical death. It is an inspiring and fascinating read! Before It’s Too Late: A Love Letter To My Daughters and America, by Eric Rozenberg Eric is very proud of his book! It is a legacy project. It is the story of why Eric and his family left Europe, the rise of antisemitism, the rise of Islamism, and the cowardliness of leaders. The book goes into the current situation that prompted them to leave for America and the similarities and differences they see in America. The book has many links and references to help readers fact-check and learn more about what Eric has written.   Eric hopes you will enjoy reading these books!  Resource: Business Model Canvas Books Mentioned Meeting at C-Level, by Eric Rozenberg Before It’s TooLate, A Love Letter to my Daughters and America, by Eric Rozenberg The Joy of Success, by Susan Ford Collins The Business Model Generation, by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur The Hawke Method, by Eric Huberman Trust Me, I’m Lying, by Ryan Holiday Who Not How, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman Building a StoryBrand, by Donald Miller The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel One Last Talk, by Philip McKernan Connect with Eric On LinkedIn On Facebook On Instagram On Website